An influx of spiking reports equating to an average of one a day were ‘grossly exaggerated’ amid an increased awareness of the crime, a nightlife boss has warned.
Though spiking clearly does happen, Broad Street manager Mike Olley said incidents are ‘extremely rare’ in the region’s pubs, bars and clubs.
Spiking, he suggests, instead became a ‘fashion crime’ last year as incidents involving both needles and drinks were thrown into the spotlight.
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New West Midlands Police data revealed 387 reports of drink spiking in 2021, including a terrifying incident where a young clubber was left in a critical condition in August.
A University of Birmingham student was also taken to A&E after she began drifting in and out of consciousness after a club night in November.
However, in some other cases, no drugs were detected – including 27 out of 29 reports probed in a six-day period from November 5 to November 10.
West Midlands Police has previously said heightened awareness of the issue may have led to an increase in…
