DORSET Police is looking to 'send a message' to people who spike drinks calling the scourge an 'abhorrent crime'.

Drink spiking can have a significant and traumatic experience on victims and has serious consequences for the perpetrators - this is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

To tackle the rise in these crimes Dorset Police is launching a new campaign to build awareness around the issue.

It comes after it was revealed that reports of these crime across the county more than tripled from 2023 to 2024. 

A Dorset Echo Freedom of Information request previously revealed the number had risen to 63 from 19.

The FOI also revealed that the Weymouth area had the second highest number of drink spiking cases in the county after Bournemouth.

It was reported that between May 2023 and May 2024 eleven cases were reported across Weymouth and Portland.

READ: Weymouth man tells of horrific spiking experience in Dorset

Detective Superintendent Neil Wright, the vulnerability lead for Dorset Police said: “Just in case anyone is in any doubt, any form of spiking is illegal and the consequences for anyone found to have spiked another person in any way can be severe, including long custodial sentences.

"Further crimes committed against a spiked person carry their own penalties.

“Nationally we often see a slight increase in reports of spiking during fresher’s weeks, so we are asking everyone to be aware when they are out, to look out for themselves and their friends.

“We would also like to make it very clear that victims are never to blame and Dorset Police will always listen and take reports of spiking seriously.”

READ: Weymouth Street Pastors warn of spiking dangers this weekend

Anyone who thinks they may have been spiked, perhaps on an evening out, should tell a trusted friend or member of venue staff or security as soon as possible.

Anyone who is a victim of spiking should also report it to police immediately to give the best chances of capturing evidence.

There is now an online reporting service on the Dorset Police website which offers a fast-time route to report spiking and prompts specific questions to capture evidence for spiking cases.

It doesn’t matter when the spiking happened, and you can report on behalf of others.

READ: Drink spiking rare in Dorset but Weymouth has seen incidents

Detective Superintendent Wright continued: “Spiking is not always linked to sexual offences or assaults, but it can happen to anyone.

"Whatever the intention, the outcome of spiking leaves people feeling vulnerable and unsafe, therefore we treat spiking with the same seriousness as other crimes. We strongly encourage victims to report it to us online or by calling 101. If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.

“You will not get in trouble if you report spiking and have knowingly consumed illegal drugs.

"Unless you’re driving, having illegal drugs in your system is not an offence and should not prevent someone reporting - we will want to make sure you’re OK.

"If you think if you have been sexually assaulted and feel unable to report it to the police, we encourage you to visit your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for support.”

Full information about what to do if you have been sexually assaulted can found on the Dorset Police website here:www.dorset. police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences

More information about spiking and how to report can be found here: www.dorset.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/spiking-advice/spiking