Spiking offences: how we revealed the surge in attacks in England and Wales

On this week’s episode of Uncovered an increase in spiking attacks is revealed following a series of freedom of information requests.

Uncovered is NationalWorld’s new podcast series that goes behind the headlines to give you an in-depth look at the stories that matter.

On this episode, host Kelly Crichton is joined by Carly Roberts, Data Reporter with National World, to talk about a series of stories she has written around the surge in spiking attacks in England and Wales.

Carly has established that police recorded a 67% rise in four years before Covid, with one incident every three days in 2020 despite lockdown. Reports of victims being spiked by needles began emerging in October this year.

An increase in these reports has led to campaigners organising boycotts of nightclubs, as they press for tighter measures.

But Carly’s investigation has found perpetrators of spiking – whether that’s drink spiking or by any other method – are very unlikely to be tracked down and brought to justice.

Carly also spoke to Helena Conibear, Chief Executive Officer at the Alcohol Education Trust about this issue.

She shared her concerns around underreporting, ingrained attitudes that are impacting victims and what needs to be done to help address this increasingly prevalent serious crime.

You can listen to the podcast in full here and on all podcast platforms.

• Listen here on Apple

• Listen here on Spotify

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