UK Drink Spiking: A Growing Concern

Recent data reveals a concerning trend in the United Kingdom: a significant number of adults report experiencing drink spiking. While awareness of the issue has increased, a vast majority of incidents remain unreported, hindering efforts to address this serious crime.

Prevalence of Drink Spiking

A survey conducted in summer 2025, involving 7,256 British adults, found that approximately 2% of adults reported being a victim of drink spiking in the previous 12 months . This translates to nearly one million people across the UK . Since 2021, researchers at Anglia Ruskin University and Drinkaware have been tracking the prevalence of drink spiking through national surveys .

Underreporting is a Major Issue

Despite the high number of incidents, fewer than one in four (23%) of those who experienced drink spiking contacted the police . Common reasons for not reporting include a lack of belief that action would be taken by law enforcement (39%) and incomplete recall of the event (38%) . Research indicates that 90% of drink spiking incidents travel unreported .

Who is Most Affected?

Women are disproportionately affected by drink spiking, accounting for 58% of reported cases . Individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ are also significantly more likely to report having been spiked (18%) compared to cis-heterosexual individuals (11%) . The highest number of incidents are reported by adults aged 25–34 .

Where Does Drink Spiking Occur?

Bars are the most common location for drink spiking incidents (41%), followed by social events (26%) and nightclubs (25%) . Still, 9% of incidents occur in private homes .

What Constitutes Drink Spiking?

Drink spiking involves adding a substance to someone’s drink without their knowledge. This can include illegal or pharmaceutical drugs, or even simply adding more alcohol than requested . Incidents are often associated with sexual assault, physical assault, theft, and other crimes .

Ongoing Research and Awareness Efforts

The Anglia Ruskin University Spiking Research Team is actively investigating the types of substances used in spiking and evaluating the effectiveness of drink testing kits and protective products . Experts from both Anglia Ruskin University and Drinkaware are urging increased awareness and encouraging victims to report incidents to the police . The government made spiking a standalone offence in 2024 .

For more information, advice, and support, visit the Drinkaware website or the UK government support pages on drink spiking.