Drink spiking: calls for government support to combat shortage of security staff

UKHospitality has backed calls for a government support package to help combat shortages in night-time sector door staff, including assistance in the recruitment of more female security operatives.

It comes after the release of the Home Affairs Committee report on spiking this week. Following a rise in reported spiking incidents in October 2021, MPs launched a formal inquiry in December last year.

The report revealed that there is an “urgent need for improved education and awareness around spiking across several sectors” after consulting with 1,895 victims and 1,413 witnesses of spiking incidents.

Figures showed that out of 4,506 reported spiking cases, 3,907 (87%) of these occurred in nightclubs and pubs.

The hospitality sector was advised to raise night-time venue security, with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) emphasising the need for more female security operatives.

NTIA told the Home Affairs Committee that young women, who are more vulnerable to becoming victims of spiking, are less likely to confide in male staff about these incidents.

The report urged that the “government should consider a support package for night-time industries to boost security measures including the recruitment and training of additional door security staff, particularly female staff”.

Dame Diana Johnson, chair of the Home Affairs Committee, said: "There needs to be a concerted effort to stamp out spiking. Much more work needs to be done to improve understanding and awareness so that people are reassured that the help will be there should they need it."

Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chief executive, said: “The Committee’s recommendation for Government support for night-time businesses to help recruit and train door staff is very welcome, as is consideration for a review of current offences and evidence-gathering and how this can be improved.

“The hospitality sector will continue to work together with the Home Office, police and local authorities to tackle drink spiking as part of the wider customer safety agenda, building on the good work many hospitality businesses are already doing to address the matter through both their own and joint initiatives, recognised by the Committee.”

She added: “This is a serious issue, and it needs to be tackled quickly and effectively, but through effective partnership working, rather than via restrictions imposed on operators’ licences.

The spiking report also suggested that the Home Office, “in partnership with key stakeholders, should conduct a national communications campaign to raise awareness of how to act when people suspect they have been spiked.

"This campaign should emphasise the importance of individuals and venues reporting incidents or concerns to the police.”

Nicholls said: “UKHospitality backs the report’s calls for a national communications campaign that forms part of a nationwide strategy that ensures a consistent approach to the issue, and which sees government working with local authorities to develop an anti-spiking strategy that encourages local licensing authorities to make better use of their powers in regard to drink spiking offences.”

In November 2021, UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and Hospitality Ulster created a series of resources aimed at helping operators to counter drink spiking.

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