Britons Hit the Streets to Protest Against 'Spiking Epidemic' in UK Nightclubs - Photos
05:37 GMT 28.10.2021 (Updated: 15:16 GMT 28.05.2023)
© Photo : Helen PiddPeople protesting against drinks spiking in Manchester, UK.
© Photo : Helen Pidd
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Previously, a Girls Night In campaign was announced in Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, and other cities, urging people to boycott nightclubs until they improve security to prevent drugging cases.
Mass rallies were held in the UK overnight, as people in 40 cities protested against stepped-up spiking cases.
The demonstrations, intended to draw attention to the issue, came after police disclosed 254 incidents in just two months. This includes 198 cases of confirmed reports of drink spiking and 56 cases of spiking by injection.
Police have launched investigations into multiple spiking cases, and last week Home Secretary Priti Patel asked for an urgent update on the probes, while the Home Office reportedly encouraged people to report such incidents.
Tonight’s spiking protest in St Peter’s Square #GirlsNightIn
— Nathan Whittaker (@manc_wanderer) October 27, 2021
Credit to the Manchester clubs and bars who today released statements to show their intent to do more to tackle the problem. Let's hope some serious change can come from it! pic.twitter.com/8sgQjdtygF
The night they said 'no more' - spiking protests held in Manchester and across the UK https://t.co/lvNBOA1LHQ pic.twitter.com/c4tbWpKlKU
— Manchesters Finest (@mancs_finest) October 27, 2021
Hundreds of young people have gathered in St Peter’s Square in Manchester for the End Spiking Now protest. Banners saying: “I have never felt safe” and “Educate your sons”. #GirlsNightIn pic.twitter.com/waHrcoSsmJ
— Helen Pidd (@helenpidd) October 27, 2021
Hundreds of people have shared their stories online, suggesting that their drinks had been drugged, or reporting they had been injected with an unknown substance. Several nightclubs also voluntarily closed their doors on Wednesday, to show solidarity with the protests.
In the meantime, a petition to improve security in nightclubs has gathered over 100,000 signatures in less than a week, meaning it will be considered by MPs.