Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will create a specific criminal offence for (a) drink and (b) needle spiking.

Spiking is an issue that the government takes very seriously. Perpetrators of such attacks need to be brought to justice, and the Government are committed to achieving that. Everybody has the right to enjoy a night out without fear.

Spiking is already illegal, and there are a range of offences which the police can use to prosecute this behaviour depending on the circumstances of individual cases.

I recognise the concerns that have been expressed that the lack of a specific spiking offence makes it more difficult to identify trends, and my department is considering the case for a criminal offence.

We will not hesitate to legislate if necessary and will inform parliament on the outcome of this consideration in October.