The Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. Among its measures is a new offence of administering a harmful substance, which covers spiking. It replaces older offences in the Offences against the Person Act 1861 and is designed to make it clearer that spiking is a crime.
Campaigners have welcomed the change as a major milestone. In Devon and Cornwall, the Police and Crime Commissioner has also funded spiking prevention training led by the charity Stamp Out Spiking.
For licensed venues, the law change is a reminder that preventing spiking and responding well when it happens is part of keeping guests safe.
How door teams help prevent spiking
- Visible, consistent searching deters people from bringing substances or equipment into the venue.
- Watching the room. Officers inside the venue notice unusual behaviour, such as someone hovering around drinks.
- Supporting your policies. Drink covers, testing kits and clear signage work best when staff actively promote them.
- Welfare awareness. Schemes such as Ask for Angela give guests a discreet way to ask for help.
What to do if someone may have been spiked
- Take it seriously and keep the person with a trusted friend or member of staff in a safe, quiet place.
- Get medical help. Call 999 if they deteriorate, become unresponsive or you are worried about their condition.
- Do not eject or abandon them. Someone who appears drunk may have been spiked.
- Report it to the police and preserve anything that could be evidence, such as the glass or drink.
- Record what happened. Time, location, what was seen and what was done all matter later.
Why good records matter
A clear incident record helps the police, supports the person affected and protects your premises licence. Our officers record welfare and medical incidents on their phones as they happen, and reports are available to the venue manager on request. Read more about how digital incident reporting protects your premises licence.
Looking for a door team that puts welfare first? See our door supervision service or request a free quote.