Incidents of drink spiking are on the increase, warn the borough police.

Motives can include misguided humour or maliciousness but more often there is criminal intent to rob someone of their cash , credit cards, mobile phones or other personal valuables.

But most sinister of all is where there is the sexual intention to assault a chosen victim.

The police suggest practical ways to avoid trouble

• Plan ahead before going out and plan your means of transport home
• Let someone know where you'll be going, and roughly when you'll be back
• Go places with a group of friends, rather than alone
• Be aware and have someone in your group to be the "drink-watcher"
• Ideally only drink from bottles which have been opened in front of you
• Avoid leaving drinks unattended
• Remember that the more you've had to drink the less wary and alert you will be
• Don't accept drinks from anyone you don't trust absolutely
• Be very wary of leaving with someone you've only just met
• Recognise the signs - if after just a couple of drinks you feel drunk or unwell or odd, seek help immediately
• Be very careful who you accept help from - your drink may have been spiked by someone you know.
• Ideally ask the landlord / club manager to call a parent or friend to help you get home safely
• NEVER accept a lift from a STRANGER or CASUAL ACQUAINTANCE

What to do if it happens to you:

Contact the police if you think you may have been raped / sexually assaulted / had sex unwillingly. They have specialist officers to deal with this kind of thing. Don't delay as samples for forensic evidence need to be taken urgently - within 12 hours if at all possible.

Ask a friend / relation / solicitor to accompany you to the police station.

Check your finances with the bank - you may have divulged your PIN number or bank details whilst affected.

Richmond and Twickenham police stations have a limited number of "spikies" available, which are plugs for the tops of bottles to stop drugs being put in. You can ask the station officers.

HELP LINE: 0800 783 2980

See the special website for more help and advice

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

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