Gloucester residents urged to speak out over spiking as MP bids for law change

Gloucester MP Richard Graham is calling on people who have been spiked to come forward as he gathers evidence to get the law changed to bring in tougher punishments for the crime.

The Conservative MP was propelled into action after hearing the case of his constituent Maisy Farmer who was spiked in the arm by someone using a needle during a night out in Worcester last December.

She was left “manic and shaking” by the ordeal and Mr Graham is calling for new legislation which would make spiking a specific offence.

Current laws can be used to prosecute but not all incidents apply. Cases of spiking, particularly using a needle, have become more prevalent in years.

Almost 5,000 cases of needle and drink spiking incidents were reported to police over the course of a year, according to the National Police Chiefs Council.

Spiking a drink is illegal and the maximum sentence, if found guilty, is 10 years in prison. But it is currently not a specific criminal offence.

“Maisy Farmer’s ordeal was what propelled me to get on the case,” Mr Graham said. “The more people I talk to, the more I find out that practically everyone knows someone who has been spiked. That is the extraordinary thing.”

The MP wants people to write to him with examples or their experience of being spiked or if people have seen it going on somewhere.

He says his aim with spiking becoming a specific offence is that it will send a clear message to everyone that it is completely illegal.

“The penalties will be quite severe, don’t get involved in spiking and if you get spiked please report it and let’s make sure the police are there to help.”

The Criminal Justice Bill is currently passing through Parliament and Mr Graham says the report stage offers an opportunity to get an amendment for a specific spiking offence to be included.

“I believe this is a really good potential vehicle for having an offence of spiking defined and put into law,” he said.

“I’ve done two private members on this, two debates, there’s a Home Affairs select committee report, police and crime commissioners are supportive. Until you’ve got an offence called spiking, then police won’t collate data on it.

“Until you start collecting accusations, claims, reports of spiking you won’t really know how big the issue is until you’ve got it very clearly in law with modern language that spiking of any kind is an offence you’re not so likely to get people coming forward and giving reports they have been spiked.

“I want to find out how many people have been spiked, what the effect on them has been, whether they’ve felt ashamed or embarrassed or inappropriate to report. There are lots of reasons why people don’t report these things.

“What’s your experience of spiking, have you ever been spiked or has anyone tried to spike you or have you ever had to help someone who has been spiked. Or have you seen it going on somewhere?”

Any constituents wishing to share their experience of spiking cand contact Mr Graham via email at richard.graham.mp@parliament.uk

“Like all constituents who contact me, there is no way I would share your email with anyone and you can have complete anonymity. It’s just about trying to understand the depth and severity of the problem.

“Or the opposite, if you feel this isn’t an issue and you’ve never met anyone who’s ever been spiked, it;s just the sort of story you don’t think exists for real, have your say.”