UK launches huge bar staff training plan to stop drink spiking crimes
Government starts new anti-spiking program to train 10000 bar workers across the country. Home Office plans to make drink spiking a separate crime that could lead to jail-time
The UK government has started a big-scale anti-spiking program that will teach night-club and pub workers how to protect customers (its gonna start next month)
A group of 10‚000 bar staff will learn how to spot drink-spiking signs - a crime that affects around one in ten women according to last years poll data. The Home Office is putting £250‚000 into this project which should finish by spring-time
Police forces are putting plain-clothes officers in clubs and pubs to catch bad people; around 20 police groups already do this. Sir Keir Starmer will meet with police bosses and club owners on monday to talk about protecting women during christmas-time
The training program will show workers how to:
- Look for warning signs in customers
- Keep drinks safe in bars
- Help possible victims
- Save evidence if needed
- Work with police when required
Kate Nicholls from UKHospitality says the program will help staff know what to do when someone looks too drunk - theyʼll check if its drink-spiking and keep them safe with their friends. The Best Bar None plan is also starting in 150 town-centers to make clubs safer for everyone
Police got about 6‚700 spiking reports last year; most victims were women around 26 years old. Assistant Chief Constable Samantha Millar says police teams are working hard in town centers and near schools to stop these crimes
Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims. People shouldnt have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out
