On the spot urine tests offered in Notts in order to combat spiking

Nottinghamshire Police will offer people on the spot urine tests if they believe they have been spiked

| UPDATED

1,000 on-the-spot urine tests have been ordered to combat a rise of spiking reports in Notts.

The kits will inform police officers if someone has a “spiking substance in them”, the Local Democracy Reporting service told BBC News.

These urine tests save the time it takes to conduct a toxicology report that would detect and prove the presence of a suspicious substance and speeds up the investigation. These tests were funded by the city’s Late Night Levy.

In addition to this, Caroline Henry, the Police and Crime Commissioner says she has invested in metal detecting wands which will be handed out to venues in Nottingham to help stop needles being brought into nightclubs.

Henry told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:”There is 1,000 urine tests and it makes it easier to determine if someone has been spiked rather than wait for toxicology reports.

“I would say: ‘Come to Nottingham, it is a fantastic night-out, but look out for each other.’”

Speaking to the West Bridgford Wire, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police Craig Guildford spoke in regards to reports of spiking via injection: “This is something that is distinctively different to what we have experienced previously in policing.

“It is unusual. I have never known of someone allegedly spiking someone with an implement.

“There are a lot of young people – students – that are concerned about this and it is important we convey the message ‘it is safe to come into town.’”

This comes after Nottinghamshire Police reported 12 alleged spikings via injection in Nottingham in October.

If you or someone you know has been affected by this story, please head to Drinkaware for more information on drink spiking. You can call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or find help via their website.

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