Earlier this week Peter Gibson MP met with Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, to raise his concerns about increased reports of spiking in Darlington.
Following on from meetings with Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, Durham constabulary and owners of local venues in the night-time economy, Peter Gibson has now raised local concerns about spiking with the Home Secretary.
Mr Gibson took the opportunity to highlight the concerns of Darlington residents about the increased number of reports of drink spiking and injection spiking in the region. Mr Gibson further advised the Home Secretary of the measures that have been taken locally by both Durham constabulary and the local community to crack down on incidents of spiking.
The Home Secretary assured Mr Gibson that the Government takes the issue of spiking very seriously and that current legislation is sufficient to ensure that in the event a perpetrator of either drink or injection spiking is caught, they can be prosecuted for their actions.
Further Mr Gibson was assured that the Government is working with the police to consider the efficacy of test kits and to what extent they are appropriate for use in testing drinks in night-time venues.
Peter Gibson MP said “It was useful to meet with the Home Secretary to discuss the increased reports of spiking in Darlington and to impress on her the importance of tackling this issue.
Darlington's night time economy is vibrant and attractive, and while thankfully these incidences still remain rare, it is absolutely right that everyone should feel safe when out in Darlington
I will continue working with Government and local stakeholders to ensure we can crack down on spiking.”