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Victims of spiking are being urged to report the crime to police.

Devon and Cornwall Police has been campaigning to raise awareness of spiking ahead of freshers' week at universities and colleges.

Its drug and alcohol harm reduction lead, Insp Martin Tregaskes, said any form of spiking was illegal and said it not only included putting alcohol or drugs in drinks, but also injecting victims or tampering with food, cigarettes and vapes.

The force said there were 6,732 reports of spiking nationally between May 2022 and April 2023 but the crime was "under-reported" overall.

Insp Tregaskes said: "The consequences for anyone found to have spiked another person in any way can be severe, including long custodial sentences.

"Further crimes committed against a spiked person carry their own penalties.

"We would like to make it very clear that victims are never to blame and police will always listen and take reports of spiking seriously."

The force said the majority of cases took place in the evening and most victims were women.

Officers said anyone who thought they had been spiked should tell a trusted friend or member of venue staff or security as soon as possible.

Insp Tregaskes said: "Spiking is not always linked to sexual offences or assaults, but it can happen to anyone and whatever the intention, the outcome is leaving people feeling vulnerable and unsafe."

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