Drink Spiking

What is Drink Spiking?

“Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

“People can also be a victim of ‘needle spiking’, which is injecting someone with drugs without their consent.

“Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere and can be carried out by strangers or people you know.

“Spiking someone could be a number of criminal offences, which can carry sentences of up to ten years in prison; even when no other offence, like theft or assault, has happened.” 

UK Police

Learn more about spiking by visiting Police.UK.

What Should You Do If You Think You’ve Been Spiked?

If you think you or a friend has been spiked it’s important to tell someone as soon as you can:

• Alert a member of staff or security if you’re at a venue

• Stay with your friend and keep talking to them; don’t let them go home on their own or leave with someone you don’t know

• Call 999 if you’re in immediate danger. If it isn’t an emergency, call 101 or report it online to the police

If you’re unsure if you’ve been spiked, or you or someone else have symptoms:

• Call 111 for medical advice

• Call 999 if the symptoms get worse

If you think there may have been a sexual assault:

• Go to your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for specialist care and support

What Support is Available?

You can find support at the university for yourself or someone you are worried about via Report It.

You can find support from the police by calling 101 (for non-emergencies), 999 (in an emergency), or by visiting your local police station.

If you require additional support information beyond the information provided, we recommend you contact the team directly via Report-It@salford.ac.uk.

Staff members are encouraged to find additional information about staff reporting via Report It on the Staff Hub.