SOUTH Dorset's MP has praised police officers working with bars and nightclubs to deter sexual offenders preying on vulnerable people enjoying a night out.

MP Richard Drax said violence against women and girls is now 'rightly at the top of the national police agenda' amid Sarah Everard’s tragic killing, which he said has unleashed an understandable torrent of emotion from women and girls, who report feeling unsafe on our streets, particularly at night.

The MP praised police initiatives such as StreetSafe, which comes after figures from Dorset Police show reports of drink spiking have almost doubled across the county compared to five years ago.

Dorset Echo: Drink spiking almost doubled across Dorset within the past five years Drink spiking almost doubled across Dorset within the past five years

He said: "I welcome Dorset Police’s recent initiatives such as StreetSafe, where unsafe or uncomfortable public places can be anonymously reported online, is a valuable addition.

"I understand that women and girls are being offered an app - yes, an app - on a mobile phone, to walk them home after work, school or college or an evening out. Of course technology has a place, but an app will not prevent someone from being attacked or chased."

According to figures released by Dorset Police, reports of drink spiking across the county have jumped from a total of 18 during 2016 - 2017, to 31 reports across 2020 - 2021.

The figures were released after women across the UK reported being spiked with drugs via injection. However, Dorset Police have revealed there have been no reports of people being injected across the county.

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, with Dorset Police working with bars and nightclubs to tackle the issue through cooperation.

Detective superintendent Joan Carmichael, of Dorset Police, said: "While we takes all reports of drink spiking very seriously, the number of incidents reported remain relatively low.

"Unfortunately in a number of cases the allegation of drink spiking cannot actually be proven due to evidential difficulties.

"The alleged victim is not routinely tested in hospital so it can be difficult to establish whether a drug has been used to spike a drink, or whether the symptoms a person displays are a result of voluntary intoxication through alcohol, prescribed medication or elicit substances.

"Some drugs used in drink spiking incidents remain in the blood and urine for a short period of time only and reports to police are often made after the window of opportunity for forensic recovery has passed."

In 2017 to 2018 22 reports of drinking spiking were made to police from across the county, while that figure dramatically rose to 49 reports in 2018 to 2019, and dropped to a total of 41 in 2019 to 20220.

Detective superintendent Ms Carmichael added: "We will do everything we can to investigate all reports of drink spiking that we receive and will support the victim throughout our enquiries.

"Dorset Police also continues to work with partner agencies and local businesses to raise awareness of personal safety in the night-time economy.

"Spiking drinks is illegal and can result in a maximum of ten years in prison. If an assault, rape, robbery or other offence has also taken place - the sentence can be even higher."

Police urge people to take the following steps to help prevent drink spiking:

• 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 your drink has been spiked you may not be able to see, smell or taste any difference. However, symptoms you may experience could include feeling drowsy, confused and finding it difficult to speak or move, feeling drunker than you should and not remembering what you have done.

If your drink has been spiked you should tell someone you trust, such as a friend or member of staff. If you are alone, ask the pub landlord or bar manager to call a trusted friend for you. Your friend, or someone you trust, should take you to the nearest accident and emergency department and tell the medical staff your drink may have been spiked. If you need to urinate and cannot wait for medical/police attendance, store the urine in a clean container and keep it in the fridge for later collection. Report any cases of suspected drink spiking to the police as soon as you can.