Keir Starmer backs plans to make spiking a specific criminal offence in the UK

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed plans to make spiking a specific criminal offence in the UK following initial proposals earlier this year.

The plans have been met with a positive response from the UK’s nightlife leaders, and could see the introduction of staff training across nightlife as early as spring 2025.

Initial plans were laid out in a speech by Starmer outside Downing Street on November 25, where he reiterated his “personal commitment” to stamp down on violence against women and girls, per a press release from UK GOV.

By making spiking a new criminal offence, Labour hopes that perpetrators will be prosecuted properly, while victims will have the confidence to “come forward to report this awful crime”.

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“Today, I will bring together police chiefs, heads of industry and transport bosses to demand coordinated action to stop women being targeted, whether they are out with friends or simply travelling home,” Starmer said. “Cracking down on spiking is central to that mission.”

The crackdown is set to involve widespread training across the nightlife industry, teaching “thousands” of staffers skills in spotting and tackling the offence. The plans will be piloted from December, before being rolled out to up to 10,000 nightlife workers in spring next year.

Labour’s plans have been supported by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)'s Michael Kill, as well as NTE Ambassador for Birmingham, Lyle Bignon, who welcomed the government’s announcement.

“Having the support of both the Prime Minister and today in Birmingham, Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Jess Philips MP for the announcements is reassuring,” Bignon said.

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The owner of Birmingham music venue Nortons Digbeth, Peter Connolly, said the venue’s 32 door staff, security, and bar staff are already being trained. “We’re supportive of any support to improve the experience of our staff, contractors, and all who spend time in Nortons,” he said.

In January 2023, the Conservative government ruled out the option of creating a new law around different forms of spiking, despite looking into a new legislation the year prior.

Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines deemed a new legislation “unnecessary” while there are other offences in place that cover spiking “by drink, needle, vape, cigarette, food, or any other known form”.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter