Government to consider scheme to boost numbers of female security staff

A support package to boost security measures in the night-time industries, including the training of more female door staff, will be considered following an MP-led inquiry into drinks spiking.

The report had also recommended spiking be made a separate criminal offence and that all staff working at music festivals be required to undergo training.

National anti-spiking awareness campaigns, and a review of partnership working and anti-spiking initiatives were also suggested to provide nationwide recommendations of best practise.

The government has today responded and said it will launch awareness campaigns, while work is ongoing to assess the success of existing anti-spiking schemes around the country. An update on whether a specific criminal offence for spiking will be introduced will be made within six months.

Responding to calls for funding for security teams the government said: “We will continue to engage across government and with industry to consider what a support package might look like and will reflect this engagement in the statutory report on spiking due to be published April 2023.”

The Home Affairs Committee inquiry was launched to better understand the prevalence of spiking and whether the response by police and night time industries could be improved. It followed numerous cases of people claiming to have been injected with needles or sharp objects while on a night out.

In response to the publication of today’s report UKHospitality CEO, Kate Nicholls, said: “The endorsement of partnership working is particularly welcome, and we will continue our ongoing work with the government, the police and industry stakeholders, to tackle this issue, as part of our wider customer safety agenda. Operators will also be working to build on the work already underway to address the matter through individual and joint initiatives.

“The review of international activity, academic research into spiking, and anti-spiking initiatives is welcome as a way of ensuring transparent and evidence-based solutions to the issue.

“We support a national data-led strategy that includes a support package for venues, particularly those in the night-time industry, to help boost security training of staff.”