Owner of The Closet in Weymouth says those caught needle spiking will be DETAINED

It comes amid reports around the UK of women being spiked with drugs by injection.

While people have been warned to take precautions to avoid drinks being tampered with, there have been recent reports of victims being drugged by injection, something which is harder to protect against.

There have been no reports of people being injected in Dorset.

READ MORE: New reports of drink spiking in Weymouth town centre

Jamie Crage, owner of The Closet, in Maiden Street: Pics: Sam McKeown and Jamie Crage

There have been local drink spiking complaints however - most recently in Weymouth in August when Dorset Police said a number of victims reported being spiked after drinking in the Slug & Lettuce, and Rendezvous - both in St Thomas Street - and nightclubs Actors and The Closet, in Maiden Street.

However, police said no particular venue had been identified for where these incidents occurred.

St Thomas Street is one of many streets in Weymouth that gets very busy during the weekend night-time. Pic: Sam McKeown:

The Closet, a gay-friendly nightclub, said there has been no reports of spiking via injection at the venue, but staff and security would increase searches on entry to combat it.

Owner Jamie Crage said the venue has protocols in place regarding drink spiking and it would continue to work closely with police.

He said: "We do bag checks but there has been no reports of any spiking at our venue, but if there were we would increase searches.

"Our staff are trained and we immediately remove any drinks left unattended.

"Since reports of drink spiking in August, we have been working with police, who provided our venue with drug testing kits to combat it.

"If we suspected anyone drink spiking we would detain them and wait for police. We would then help with any investigation."

Mr Crage also encourages anyone who sees suspicious behaviour, or suspects they have been a victim of spiking, to either alert security or a member of staff.

He added: "We would also encourage them to contact the police, so that any allegation can be properly investigated and we will support them to do this.

"Anyone who is suspected of spiking will be detained and handed over to the police."

The Echo attempted to contact other local venues for comment.

Nationally, police have been asked to assess the scale of spiking at nightclubs and parties amid a rise in reports and claims some people have been drugged by injection.

Home Secretary Priti Patel asked forces for an update after some said they had seen more spiking incidents in recent months.

Meanwhile, groups from more than 30 universities around the UK have joined an online campaign calling for the boycott of nightclubs, with campaigners seeking 'tangible' changes to make them safer, such as covers and stoppers for drinks, better training for staff and more rigorous searches of clubbers.

Weymouth and Portland Police has issued some tips for drink safety:

* Never leave your drink unattended

* Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know

* Keep an eye on your friends' drinks

* Stay away from situations that you don't feel comfortable with

* If someone appears very intoxicated do not leave them unattended or with a stranger, make sure they are safe

* Let someone know where you are and what time you expect to be home, especially if you're going on a date with someone you don't know

* Don't give out too much information to someone you've just met, such as your address

* It's important to remember that if you've already been drinking, it may make you less aware of any danger

* If you notice anything suspicious report to the pub/club and police immediately