Over the recent weeks there has been a major rise in the number of spiking cases in the UK and now bars and clubs around Middlesbrough are taking action.
As spiking is moving away from substances being put into drinks and more towards spiking via injection nightclubs and pubs have had to react fast.
Figures released on Wednesday reveal 56 incidents of spiking by injection were recorded by police in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in September and October, in addition to 198 confirmed reports of drink spiking.
According to a survey by nationwide news site The Tab, more than 2,600 young people believe they have been spiked since the start of this academic year, with half of respondents – almost 12,000 people – believing a friend or someone they know has been spiked since the start of this university term.
One Teesside nightspot has introduced a new ‘extended search’ with door staff at the Dickens Inn, on Southfield road, now carrying out searches with the use of metal scanners.
It comes after a Teesside dad has recounted his horror after his daughter contacted him believing she’d been spiked in The Empire last weekend.
He recounted every parents’ worst nightmare as the girl “didn’t have a clue where she was – or what she was doing” – when she left the nightclub alone after the terrifying late-night incident.
A number of pubs and nightclubs in the Middlesbrough area have backed the #AskForAngela campaign, including The Dickens and The Highfield Hotel on Marton Road.
A post on The Dickens website states: “Due to recent events happening all over the country with people being spiked and not feeling safe in the surroundings we want to let everyone know that we are here to help and keep you all safe while you’re out.”
“Extended searches will be followed out by door staff including the use of metal scanners. We are also joining a lot of venues in using the Ask for Angela scheme.”
“ #AskforAngela is a scheme in place (established in the UK) which aims at reducing sexual violence and vulnerability by providing women and men with a subtle phrase to assist getting them out of potentially dangerous and helpless situations.
A spokesperson for The Dickens said: “First-dates, Tinder-dates or frankly getting home alone after a night out can unfortunately (history-proven) be a risk.”
“At The Dickens all our staff are now trained to understand what this means and if you need us we are there.”
The Ask for Angela campaign was launched in 2016.
Anybody who asks for the fictitious member of staff ‘Angela’ is indicating they need help.
Trained staff can then help the person reunite with a person they trust, make sure they get into a taxi safely, call security, or get in touch with police.
Holly, 23, a Journalism student from Teesside University, experienced being spiked when on a night out with her friends in Middlesbrough town centre, she shared her experience with Tuxtra.
