Police make arrest in spiking case

Tuesday 21 December 2021

Police have made one arrest following an allegation of drink spiking and they are investigating reports of a second similar incident.

Both cases are alleged to have happened over the weekend - just a month after a boycott of pubs and clubs in Town to raise awareness of risks to women while on nights out and three weeks after the Police launched their 'show some respect' campaign to help make nights out safer for women.

"Over the weekend Guernsey Police received two reports of people having their drinks spiked. We have already made one arrest in relation to one of these incidents and the early stages of investigations are continuing," said the Police.

"Early reporting is extremely important in drink spiking cases, as it both helps us gather robust evidence and helps us understand the extent of the problem in Guernsey.

"If you feel you’ve been spiked, we’d encourage you to make a report as soon as you feel well enough. We will then be here to support you in what happens next."

Video: The Police recently launched a prominent campaign focused on making women safer on nights out.

On 19 November, a national movement known as 'Girls Night In' came to Guernsey with women urged to boycott venues in Town to raise awareness of the risks of illegal or unacceptable behaviour on nights out.

Organisers said they had received significant support from women and men reporting spiked drinks, harassment and sexual assault while in bars and clubs in Town. But owners and managers of several venues were concerned that the boycott created a false impression of the risks of nights out and may have defeated campaigners' aim to raise awareness and make nights out safer for women.

The Police launched their 'show some respect' campaign the following week, saying they wanted "to continue the conversation that really sparked following the tragic death of Sarah Everard [in England] in March and...to raise awareness about how Guernsey Police is here to help".

Up to the last week of November, Police had received six reports of drink spiking from women in 2021. That information was revealed by Deputy Rob Prow, the President of the Committee for Home Affairs, while replying to questions from Deputy Gavin St. Pier at a recent States' meeting.

Late yesterday afternoon, Express asked the Police to disclose the sex of the alleged victims of the incidents over the weekend, but they were unable to reply by the time of publication early this morning. 

After announcing their investigations about the alleged incidents at the weekend, the Police said: "Don’t keep silent if something happens to you. Call us on 01481 222 222 or make a report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."