Published: Tuesday, 10th December 2024
The Council has introduced initiatives to ensure residents' safety during the festive season, thanks to funding received from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Drink spiking strips have been provided to venues across the district, who are members of Cannock and Rugeley Pubwatch. Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink, or their body, without their knowledge or consent. It can be difficult to tell if your drink has been spiked by taste or smell. The substances used can be colourless and odourless.
The kits are to encourage residents to be vigilant and to look out for the signs of drink spiking when socialising in pubs, bars and nightclubs. The strips are easy to use, just put a drop of your drink on to each of the test patches of a single strip, if your drink is spiked you will see a colour change (pink to blue, yellow to orange) in 10-30 seconds.
Some of the signs that someone may have been spiked include being confused or disorientated, difficulty speaking, breathing difficulties or experiencing nausea and vomiting.
Also, as part of this initiative, taxi marshals will be used at Cannock taxi rank between the hours of 10pm and 4am on selected dates over the festive period, to ensure the safety of residents returning home after a night out.
Councillor David Williams, Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing said “Everyone deserves to feel safe when enjoying a night out, especially during the festive season. These initiatives, supported by funding from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, demonstrate our commitment to protecting residents and visitors.
“We encourage everyone to stay vigilant, look out for one another, and report any concerns to venue staff or the police. Together, we can ensure a safer and more enjoyable Christmas and New Year for all.”
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime who is chair of the Violence Reduction Alliance (VRA), Ben Adams said: “I am pleased that funding from my office has been able to support the roll out of these initiatives.
“Spiking is often used by perpetrators to commit more serious offences which is why my office, along with the VRA, is committed to working with partners to prevent and reduce all forms of spiking.
“By taking a coordinated partnership approach, combining practical measures like spiking strips and taxi marshals with awareness campaigns and training, we aim to not only make our communities safer, but also ensure they feel safer too.”
Detective inspector, Chris Wynn-Jones, said: "We fully welcome these measures and continue to work closely with partners, including bar owners and staff and the local authority, to ensure the safety of residents and visitors to the area.
“Our message to members of the public, particularly during the busy festive period, is to remain vigilant to the risks of spiking and to help protect others around them. Also, please report any suspicious incidents to the police, or venue staff.”
The Violence Reduction Alliance campaign, Safer Nights, aims to educate everyone to have a great night out, whilst raising awareness of spiking.
More information on spiking and the campaign visit www.violencereductionalliance.co.uk