New initiative launched to tackle drink spiking in Belfast
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
A new initiative will see specialist drink spiking test kits distributed to 33 bars and clubs in Belfast.
Queen’s University Belfast and the PSNI have launched the Drink Check project to raise awareness and act as a deterrent to spiking as students return for the new academic year.
The neighbourhood engagement team from Queen’s spearheaded the initiative following concerns raised by students who were worried about potential drink spiking.
Queen’s has purchased specialist drink spiking test kits and partnered with PSNI to distribute and manage them across several venues.
We know that spiking is a concern for students, so it’s great to see the university listening and taking proactive steps to make sure it doesn’t become an issue
Each participating venue will also display posters making it clear that drink testing is available on-site.
They have also been supplied with drink testing strips.
If a customer believes their drink may have been tampered with, they can take it to the bar where staff will check it using the test kits.
If the test indicates spiking, the PSNI will be notified and will investigate. CCTV from the venue will be checked to help identify the individual responsible.
In addition, all venues involved in the initiative have been provided with Ask for Angela materials, a mechanism that enables patrons to use a codeword to seek help from bar staff if they feel unsafe or vulnerable.
Amy Smith, Queen’s Students’ Union president, said the initiative was about prevention and reassurance.
Every report is taken seriously and we have a bespoke response plan to both support victims and robustly pursue offenders
She said: “We know that spiking is a concern for students, so it’s great to see the university listening and taking proactive steps to make sure it doesn’t become an issue.”
Ryan Feeney, vice-president of strategic engagement and external affairs and registrar at Queen’s, said: “By introducing visible deterrents like testing kits and awareness campaigns, we want to support our students to feel safe while enjoying a night out.”
PSNI Superintendent Allister Hagan said while there was no evidence of widespread or routine drink spiking in Belfast, police understand the concern it causes.
He said: “Every report is taken seriously and we have a bespoke response plan to both support victims and robustly pursue offenders.”
Willie Jack, proprietor of a number of bars in the city, said he also supported the initiative.
Venues taking part in the initiative include The Queen’s Students’ Union Bar, The Botanic Inn, The Hatfield, Bootleggers, The Points, Thompsons, Lavery’s, Limelight, Lux Nightclub, The Maverick, Happy’s Belfast, The Marcus Ward, Kremlin, Revolution De Cuba, Wetherspoons, Liquid, The Harp Bar, The Duke of York, Haymarket, White’s Tavern, The Dirty Onion, The Thirsty Goat, The Parlour, Common Market, 39 Gordon Street, Beehive, The Telegraph Building, The Dark Horse, The Crown, Brennans’ Bar, The Empire, Robinsons and Benedicts.
