Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the rise in the prevalence of spiking.

This is an issue which the government takes very seriously. The public have a right to feel safe on the streets and they expect the government, law enforcement, and the private sector to ensure this.

Action which the Government is already taking on spiking includes:

• Supporting the rollout of pilot initiatives to improve the safety of women in public spaces, including in the night-time economy.
• Working with the police to better understand the nature of spiking. This will inform a statutory report on the nature and prevalence of spiking. The report is due 12 months from the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill receiving Royal Assent.
• The Home Office is also considering the case for a criminal offence to target spiking directly. We will not hesitate to legislate if necessary.