Met warns predatory offenders are increasingly using everyday medicines to spike unsuspecting victims

Spiking offenders are increasingly using everyday medicines, prescription drugs and even vapes to target victims, Metropolitan Police detectives have warned.

The warning comes as Met officers prepare for Freshers' Week operations across London and follows growing evidence that offenders are changing both the substances they use and the environments in which they operate.

While spiking has long been associated with bars and clubs, detectives are also investigating offences linked to house parties, pre-drinks gatherings, student accommodation and other private settings.

In the past year, the Met has secured 131 positive outcomes for spiking-related offences, a 20 per cent increase on the previous reporting period, while specialist investigators have identified an increasingly diverse range of substances being used by offenders.

Whilst offenders continue to use drugs such as cocaine and ketamine, officers are now increasingly encountering cases involving readily available medications, including antihistamines and travel sickness drugs that can cause drowsiness, confusion, memory loss and reduced awareness when administered without a person's knowledge.

Detectives are also seeing increased reports involving vape spiking, where substances are added to vaping devices or liquids without the user's knowledge or consent.

The Met has invested in specialist forensic capabilities to meet this evolving threat, including equipment that can rapidly test suspected spiked vapes and identify a wide range of substances that may not be detected by commercially available testing products.

Officers are warning that many over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs used by offenders will not be identified by self-testing kits marketed online, which is why reporting to police remains critical.

More than half of all reported victims of spiking over the past year were aged between 18 and 35, with Freshers' Week providing an important opportunity to raise awareness of the changing tactics being used by offenders.

Detective Superintendent Dan Thompson, the Met's spiking lead, said:

"The nature of spiking is changing. We're seeing offenders use a wider range of substances than ever before, including everyday medications and substances added to vapes, while increasingly targeting victims in private settings such as homes, parties and student accommodation.

"Our message is simple: if you spike someone, we will do everything in our power to identify you and bring you to justice.

"We've secured a record number of charges over the last year, but every report helps us build a better intelligence picture, identify emerging trends and take action against offenders.

"Many of the substances now being used leave a narrow forensic window, which is why reporting as quickly as possible is so important. Reporting within the first 12 hours allow us to secure CCTV, obtain forensic evidence, identify witnesses and make arrests.

"Nobody should hesitate to come forward. Even if some time has passed, we still want to hear from you."

The dangers posed by offenders operating in private settings were also highlighted in the case of Chao Xu, who targeted women attending gatherings at his flat.

Xu, 33, from Greenwich, was sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting multiple rape, sexual assault and voyeurism offences. Specialist toxicology analysis identified substances including GHB and scopolamine, a travel sickness medication, in drinks offered to victims.

Throughout Freshers' Week, the Met will carry out targeted operations at universities, student events and night-time economy venues across London, working alongside partners to identify offenders, gather intelligence and prevent harm.

Notes to editors