Keir Starmer supports plans to make spiking a specific criminal offence in the UK

nme.com:

Keir Starmer has backed plans to make drink spiking a specific criminal offence in the UK.As part of the government’s plans to halve violence against women and girls, the Prime Minister has laid out plans to create more specific laws to help combat spiking.

It is already illegal under numerous laws, but most offences come under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.However, the suggestion of “modernising” laws around spiking had been gaining traction for some time now.The new law will require bar and hospitality staff to be trained to spot the signs of a drink being spiked.

The training scheme will be piloted in December with 10,000 and it is hoped it will be rolled out fully next spring. Staff will learn how to prevent cases, support victims and help “collect evidence”.“Today, I will bring together police chiefs, heads of industry and transport bosses to demand coordinated action to stop women being targeted, whether they are out with friends or simply travelling home,” Starmer said.