Bristol licensees urged to be vigilant as drug rapes soar
A huge rise in the number of drug rapes has led police in Bristol to urge licensees to look out for attackers and warn pub-goers of the risks.
Bristol police told thePublican.com that already this year twice as many people have reported that they have had their drink spiked, usually with so called date-rape drugs Rhoypnol or GHB.
This supports nationwide reports that, across the whole country, twice as many incidents were reported to charity the Drug Rape Trust last year, compared to the year before (See Trade warned of rise in drug rapes (23 May 2001)for full details).
Leading expert in the field Detective Chief Inspector Peter Sturman, who heads the trust, said that just less than half of all victims believed the drug was put in their drink while they were in a pub or club.
But in an attempt to protect pub-goers, McCluskeys in Bristol has designed new beer mats. These alert customers to the risks and give tips including recommendations:
- not to accept drinks from strangers
- not to leave drinks unattended
- to look out for friends and make sure they do not leave alone
- to alert a member of staff if you think your drink has been spiked.
This latest campaign coincides with news that scientists have developed a high-tech cocktail stirrer to detect date-rape drugs (See Drugs detector developed to be sold in pubs and clubs (3 August 2001)for full details).
The swizzle stick changes colour if drugs are present in a drink and if tests prove successful it could be sold in pubs and clubs for 50p.
Posters and beer mats alerting customers to the risks of drug rape are available from the Drug Rape Trust and any licensees requiring more information can contact the trust on 01702 317695.
