Keep an eye on your drinks this Christmas, police warn (From Daily Echo)

Keep an eye on your drinks this Christmas, police warn

5:33pm Wednesday 4th December 2002

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POLICE in Hertfordshire have launched a campaign to warn drinkers of the dangers of having their drinks spiked over the festive season.

Eye-catching beer mats and posters carrying words of caution are being provided to pubs and clubs warning revellers not to leave their glasses or bottles unattended.

Chief Inspector Nigel Brown of Community Safety said: "It is hard to put a figure on how many people this affects, but we have had reports in the past from women who have had their drinks spiked.

"The effects of this can have serious consequences."

In August this year a 28-year-old Hertfordshire woman collapsed after it is believed her drink was spiked.

In a separate incident two years ago, a former barmaid of a Chipperfield pub was awarded £200 by a crown court judge for thwarting a man's attempt to spike his girlfriend's drink.

The man had added six milligrams of the drug amphetamine sulphate to his girlfriend's vodka and coke and was sentenced to nine months imprisonment for attempting to administer poison.

Chief Inspector Brown said: "We are asking people to be aware of the potential dangers and not to leave drinks unattended or to accept drinks from strangers.

"If with a group of friends, it may be useful to arrange for one of the group to keep an eye on the drinks for extra protection."

The campaign is being supported by Hertfordshire's Drug Action Team as well as local licencees and breweries.

Chief Inspector Brown said: "If anyone sees an incident they should alert bar staff or security immediately and also contact police.

"Prompt action could prevent someone being badly affected by this menace, and in the worst case scenario someone being sexually abused by the person who spiked the drink."

According to national figures 54 per cent of people are drugged via alcohol and 47 per cent of people are drugged in a pub or club.

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