SOUTHAMPTON bars and nightclubs "Are doing everything they can" to protect people's drinks from being spiked.

A sharp rise in cases of spiking via drinks and needles has sparked nationwide campaigns such as 'Girls Night In' to boycott nightclubs until they have been made safer for clubbers.

However, venues like One Oxford, Café Parfait, and Switch have told the Daily Echo that they are providing customers with drink protectors and have also increased security in a bid to prevent spiking.

One Oxford cocktail lounge owner Ricky Kanda said: "Luckily, we haven't had any spiking incidents. 

"However we do have policies to make sure our customers are safe and having a good time. 

"We offer plastic covers so that people's drinks aren't spiked.

"If a drink is left unattended for a long time, our staff bin them away. 

Meanwhile, Cafe Parfait and Switch nightclub owner Rich Gilbert said: "From our side, we do everything we can. 

"We have vigilantly trained staff to keep an eye on people that look or are behaving suspiciously and also look out for people who potentially have been spiked and get them looked after. 

"That's all we can do, I am afraid."