“This law was created in 1861. We are now in 2023. The writing is on the wall. Current legislation needs to be updated” Dawn Dines CEO Stamp Out Spiking 22/01/2023

In December 2022 the Home Office made the decision that there was no need to create legislation to make Spiking a specific criminal offence.

The Home Office felt this could be dealt with by consulting on Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licencing Act 2003.

This would put the responsibility back onto local authorities and licence holders and would not change national response to the crime of Spiking.

11th January 2023 at a Westminster Hall Debate convened by Richard Graham – MP for Gloucester – there was cross-party support from MPs to challenge this decision. This was supported by Priti Patel – former Home Secretary - Rachel Maclean – former Safeguarding Minister - and Dame Diana Johnson – Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee on Spiking Issues – also including representatives from across all political parties.

Home Office Minister Tom Tugendhat responded at the debate that the government would be open to revisiting the issue, taking away the suggestion of amending existing legislation (Offences against the Person Act 1861) so that Spiking is recorded as an offence in its own right and prosecuted as such, by updating the current legislation.

We must maintain momentum and pressure on the government to amend the law to ensure that Spiking cases are recorded and prosecuted. Updating current legislation will cascade key information and training to emergency services to ensure the safety of the general public against this currently invisible crime.

Your support is essential. Please share this petition with family and friends. We need public support to emphasise to the government how crucial this legislation is to protect the public against this vile crime across the United Kingdom.