Drugging incidents in Glasgow remain low despite disturbing 'spiking by injection' claims

The Glasgow Times can reveal that between April and September this year, only four deliberate drugging crimes were recorded by city officers.

The figures - disclosed through Freedom of Information (FOI) - show the offences to be at a five-year all-time high. 

It comes after a spate of social media posts surfaced of women reporting to have been spiked with needles on nights out.

Alleged victims noted feeling unwell, not being able to remember the full evening and waking up with puncture marks on their backs and arms surrounded by bruising. 

READ MORE: Safety measures ramped up at Glasgow nightclub after woman is 'spiked by injection'

A series of investigations were launched by detectives into the crimes - with each recorded incident being dealt with by the highest command at Police Scotland. 

While official reports of the offences in Glasgow remain low, Rape Crisis Scotland say they have dealt with 71 calls from women and men who believe they have been spiked in the last 12 months. 

The charity has said that loss of memory and victim anxiety of not being believed or being blamed has left the majority of crimes to go unreported.

Sandy Brindley, chief executive, said: “Many rapes and sexual assaults go unreported, often because of fear of not being believed or being blamed.  

“There are particular barriers to reporting where someone suspects they have been spiked - the most common reason we hear from survivors for not reporting is because they don’t have clear memories of what has happened.

“The actual level of spiking is likely to be quite a bit higher than the figures from the police suggest.  

“In the past 12 months, Rape Crisis Scotland has taken 71 calls from women and men who think they have been spiked.  Even this is likely to be an underestimate, as many people never take the step of reaching out to a support agency.

“It’s so important that if someone does take the step of seeking help where they think they may have been spiked - whether it’s approaching the police, their GP or another agency - that they are taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.”

In neighbouring council areas including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire, only one deliberate drugging incident was reported to Police Scotland in the last year.

Meanwhile, the force recorded no reports of crimes of spiking for sexual purposes in Glasgow since 2020. 

MSP Monica Lennon

Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon said that the public “should not take comfort” in the low statistics due to the nature of under-reporting. 

The Labour representative said: “The focus on women’s behaviour is a barrier to crimes like drink spiking being reported to the police.

“Women fear that they won’t be believed or will be blamed.

“That’s why we cannot take comfort from these apparently low statistics because under-reporting is very much a part of the story.

“The Scottish Government has recognised that these issues are serious and it’s vital that robust action is taken.”

Earlier this month, we exclusively told how detectives are pursing every report put to police through a gold command, which was set up in response to the concerning allegations of spiking by injection on nights out. 

As inquiries into the crimes remain ongoing, ambulance crews have been advised to ensure that cases of spiking are brought to the attention of police officers.

In the meantime, the Scottish Government is currently considering whether a specific offence to tackle misogyny is needed to combat such crimes. 

A dedicated group has been appointed by officials to investigate patterns of misogynistic behaviour. Their findings will be reported in February next year. 

Anybody who believes they have had their drink spiked or been assaulted in this nature should contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency, 999. 

Otherwise, Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline can be reached on 08088 01 03 02.