Stop Spiking Hull: New campaign launched to keep people safe
‘SAFE CITY’: Councillor Aneesa Akbar
A new campaign has been launched to raise awareness, educate and protect people from spiking in Hull.
‘Stop Spiking Hull’ will involve Hull City Council, Humberside Police and other partner organisations working together with venues across the city to maintain safe drinking environments.
Multiple venues have been invited to sign a pledge ahead of the official launch of the campaign next Friday. The campaign will also use preventative and detection methods to help people at risk, educate on how to report instances of suspected spiking and encourage people to seek help, if needed.
The campaign has been commissioned by Safer Hull and funded by Hull City Council, Humberside Police and the Office of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner. As a multi-agency partnership, Safer Hull has worked in collaboration with relevant services to ensure the campaign is visible city-wide for maximum impact.
Councillor Aneesa Akbar, Portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “Spiking is an horrific crime, which is why this campaign and a collaborative approach across the city to stamp it out is so important.
“We understand that the action of spiking lies with the perpetrator and not the victim, and I’m proud of the work Safer Hull and all partners involved are doing to protect all people from harm and provide support where it’s needed.
“Hull is a safe city and everyone deserves to feel safe on a night out. By working together, looking out for your mates and following the guidance, we can all help to protect great nights out over the Christmas period and beyond.”
Safer Hull has worked with HullBID and local venues as part of the campaign. It includes the distribution of 5,000 drink testing kits, 100,000 drinks covers and 10,000 ‘Spikey’ versatile drink protectors to venues throughout the city centre and surrounding areas. These measures will be stocked at various venues and can be used by bar staff or requested by anyone in a venue.
The campaign will deliver core information through posters, which will also be distributed to venues, and through media screens located in the city centre.
Messages on social media will include information about the preventative measures available to customers, encouraging everyone to look out for one another, how to report spiking and how to get help for any suspected victims.
ON PATROL: Hull Street Angels
Multiple venues have been invited to sign up to the Stop Spiking pledge, which recognises that spiking lies with the perpetrator, and pledges to take all manageable steps to maintain safe drinking environments for everyone.
Over 14 venues have signed up so far, with sign-ups expected to increase throughout the duration of the campaign.
Mark Charlton, Head of Community Safety and Partnerships at Safer Hull, said: “Hull is a vibrant city and we’re proud of the range of cultural events that take place, its hospitality offering and the mix of venues to attend, both in and out of the city centre.
“During the festive period, we want to encourage people to visit all venues knowing that they will be safe and with the reassurance that we, as a city, take everybody’s safety seriously.
“By working together with Humberside Police and our other key partners, we can protect safe nights out in Hull and work to ensure we provide safe drinking environments for everyone.”
The campaign has been launched in response to a reported increase in incidents of spiking in the area, including by injection. In October, Humberside Police reported the month accounted for around 45 per cent of all reports of spiking in 2021. The force also reported that two thirds of those spiked since January 2021 were women.
Alongside the Stop Spiking Hull campaign, there are a number of measures already in operation that aim to ensure a safe night out in Hull, including:
Taxi Marshals – the Taxi Marshal scheme has received further council funding. Marshals will be present at three key taxi ranks, including the Paragon Interchange, to ensure those waiting can access a taxi and remain safe whilst waiting.
Hull Street Angels – as part of the campaign, the Street Angel volunteers have been provided with testing kits and drink protectors. They will continue to marshal in the city centre until 2am, offering support and guidance in any way that is needed.
Ask for Angela – a nationwide scheme that is operational in many venues across the city. In venues the scheme is running, those who feel uncomfortable or that something isn’t quite right can ask a member of staff for “Angela” - which acts as a request for help.
Cases of spiking should be reported to the police as soon as possible, for testing to be effective. Most drugs leave the body within 72 hours of being taken, and the date-rape drug GHB leaves the body within 12 hours.
More information can be found on the Hull City Council webpage: www.hull.gov.uk/StopSpikingHull and the Safer Hull webpage: Community Safety Partnership | Hull City Council.