No Standalone Spiking Offence to be created by the Government

We have, over recent months, reported a number of times on the issue of spiking whether by needle or in drinks.

In February last year, we reported in our article 'Drink Spiking to be made a criminal offence' that, the then Home Secretary, Priti Patel had indicated the Government was “ready” to introduce legislation to make spiking a standalone offence.

There have of course been a number of changes in Government since that time and it is now being reported that the Government has said it will not create a specific spiking offence.

Home Office Minister Sarah Dine is reported as saying in a letter to Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson, the Chair of the Home Affairs committee that a new law is “unnecessary” and states that there are “already several offences which cover incidents of spiking” and the Government has not found “any gap in the law that a new spiking offence would fill”.

The recently released report states that the Government is planning to consult on changes to the Guidance, and we know that this consultation to change the s182 Guidance is already in progress, the consultation closes on 13th January and includes reference to spiking.

If you have any queries arising from this article please get in contact with one of our expert Solicitors.