Police chiefs, industry executives, and transport bosses were urged to collaborate to improve the safety of women and girls as the Prime Minister convened leaders at Downing Street on Monday, 25 November.
Reiterating his personal commitment to halving violence against women and girls, the Prime Minister confirmed that his government had introduced a new criminal offence for spiking. This announcement underscored that spiking is a serious crime, ensuring perpetrators face the full force of the law while empowering victims to report offences with confidence in the justice system's support.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that this new offence was just one part of a comprehensive solution. He called for coordinated efforts among police forces, transport networks, and venues to eradicate this cowardly act and reclaim public spaces.
As part of the initiative, thousands of nighttime economy staff were set to receive training on identifying and addressing spiking. Piloted in December, the training was designed to equip staff with the skills to prevent incidents, support victims, and assist police in collecting evidence. The program aimed to train up to 10,000 bar staff nationwide by spring of the following year.
The meeting took place weeks before Christmas, a period associated with increased violence against women and girls. The Prime Minister listened to police forces and industry leaders share successful tactics already in place to protect women and encouraged others to adopt similar measures.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg of Thames Valley Police highlighted his force’s deployment of plainclothes officers in areas around bars and clubs to detect predatory sexual behavior—a tactic adopted by over 20 forces across England and Wales. Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi of British Transport Police detailed efforts to improve safety on public transport, including the relaunch of the text-to-report number, 61016. In one instance, a victim used the service, leading to an offender’s arrest within half an hour.
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality and Chair of the Institute of Licensing, expressed support for the Home Office’s plans to provide nationwide training for door and bar staff. Chief Constable Maggie Blythe, the NPCC lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, addressed the ongoing prevalence of such violence in the nighttime economy and stressed the need for robust policing to reduce victimization.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, "My government was elected on a pledge to take back our streets, and we will never achieve this if women and girls do not feel safe at night.
"Today, I brought together police chiefs, heads of industry, and transport bosses to demand coordinated action to stop women being targeted, whether they are out with friends or simply travelling home.
"Cracking down on spiking is central to that mission. We know it can be incredibly difficult for victims to come forward to report this awful crime, and these cases can be very hard to prosecute. We must do more to bring the vile perpetrators who carry out this cowardly act, usually against young women and often to commit a sexual offence, to justice.
"That is why I made a promise to make spiking a new criminal offence. Today, I am proud to have delivered on that pledge."
Assistant Chief Constable Samantha Millar, NPCC Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Programme Director, added, "Spiking can have a significant, traumatic impact on victims and feelings of safety in the nighttime economy, particularly for women and girls.
"Spiking is a complex offence to investigate, as drugs can pass through the system quickly, and there is often a lack of evidential opportunities. Quick reporting and early evidence gathering, including forensic testing, are crucial.
"Police forces across the country have been working proactively to stop spiking and improve safety for women and girls. This includes regular patrols of busy town centres and engaging with organizations such as universities to raise awareness.
"During the first national spiking police week of action in March, forces collectively visited over 1,900 licensed venues to ensure staff understood how to support victims.
"The policing response to protect women and girls in the nighttime economy demonstrates our commitment to making streets safer. I encourage any victim of spiking to report it to the police—you will be listened to, and you will be taken seriously."
The government’s action against spiking was part of its broader manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade, a crucial step in its mission to make streets safer.
