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Police warn of rise in vape and medicine spiking
Police say more than 2,700 offences were reported in the past year, but only 131 led to charges as offenders use vapes and medicines.
- The Metropolitan Police recorded more than 2,700 spiking-related offences in the past year, marking a 20% increase. Predators increasingly target private settings like house parties, using drug-laced vapes and everyday medications.
- Detective Superintendent Dan Thompson, the Met's spiking lead, warned that offenders now use a wider range of substances, including antihistamines and vapes. These substances metabolize quickly, leaving a 'narrow forensic window' for investigation.
- While reports rose 20%, only 131 cases led to a charge, caution, or summons. Metropolitan Police data indicates more than half of all victims were aged 18 to 35, prompting warnings during Freshers' Week.
- Prolific offenders like Zhenhao Zou received life sentences after drugging and raping 10 victims in private flats. Police urge victims to report incidents within 12 hours to secure CCTV and forensic evidence.
- To combat the threat, Met officers deployed a one-of-a-kind vape detector at university events. Officials emphasize that commercial self-testing kits often fail to detect prescription or over-the-counter medicines, making rapid reporting essential.
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Vile predators using over-the-counter medicines and drug-laced vapes to spike victims
The Metropolitan Police force has warned predators are increasingly using prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as drug-laced vapes to spike victims.Detectives have seen cases with vapes that contain THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and the drug spice, as well as the use of high doses of everyday medication such as antihistamines and travel sickness pills that cause drowsiness.There is also an increasing number of…
·London, United Kingdom
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Inside the police operation to tackle the terrifying new wave of spiking
Predators are increasingly targeting victims with spice-laced vapes and antihistamines. Nicole Wootton-Cane joined the Metropolitan Police on a night out to see how detectives are keeping London’s newest student intake safe this freshers’ week
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources8
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left, 43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 43%
C 43%
14%
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