Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University release findings during Spiking Intensification Week
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Around 2% of UK adults, equivalent to nearly one million people, say they have been a victim of drink spiking in the last year, according to new data by Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University
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Only one in four (23%) of those who experienced drink spiking reported the incident to the police
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The data is part of the Drinkaware’s 2025 Monitor, which surveyed more than 7,000 adults, aged 18 to 85, across the UK about their drinking habits
Around 2% (1.8%) of UK adults, equivalent to nearly one million people, believe they’ve been a victim of drinking spiking in the last year, rising slightly to 3% among younger adults aged 18 to 34, according to new data by Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University.
The findings, published during Spiking Intensification Week, coordinated by the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP), are part of the Drinkaware 2025 Monitor, the only annual UK-wide nationally representative survey that dives into people’s drinking habits,
This year’s Monitor also included a dedicated section on spiking – giving someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing.
The research also found that only one in four (23%) of those who believe they’ve been drink spiked reported the incident to the police, while the proportion of people who said they experienced drink spiking in the last year has fallen from 2.2% in 2023 to 1.8% in the latest survey.
The main reasons people gave for not reporting spiking to the police were because they were not able to remember what happened clearly and a belief that the police would not take action.
Karen Tyrell, CEO of the charity Drinkaware, said:
“Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere and is often an underreported crime that can have lasting impacts on victims. Our research shows that only one in four people who said they had been spiked reported the incident to the police.
“That’s why working with experts like Anglia Ruskin University is vital for deepening our understanding of the issue and the barriers that prevent victims from coming forward.
“If you are a victim of spiking, we’d strongly encourage you - or a friend or family member on your behalf - to report it to the police straight away, in line with advice from the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection. This gives the police the best chance to collect evidence, catch the perpetrator and ensure you get the support you need”
Dr Agatha Grela, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry at Anglia Ruskin University and Co-Investigator, said:
“Our latest national survey shows that many spiking survivors still said they didn’t go to the police because they didn’t think anything would be done. It’s important people know that the police take reports of drink spiking incredibly seriously. The survey also shows there’s work to be done to highlight what drink spiking actually is. It’s not just adding pharmaceuticals or illegal drugs to a drink without consent – adding or increasing the amount of alcohol in a drink is also drink spiking.”
Helen Millichap, Director of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, said:
“Spiking can have a significant, traumatic impact on victims and feelings of safety, particularly for women and girls, which is why police forces across the country are working proactively to raise awareness and encourage victims to report to the police."
“Spiking is a complex offence to investigate as drugs can pass through the system quickly, which is why quick reporting and early evidence gathering, including forensic testing, is key. I would encourage anyone who is a victim of spiking to report it to the police as soon as possible, you will be listened to, and you will be taken seriously.”
The research also found:
- Spiking incidents were most likely to happen at a bar (41%), followed by social events (26%) and nightclubs (25%).
- Almost nine in 10 (87%) of the UK adults surveyed think people spike drinks to commit sexual assault or rape, while seven in 10 (69%) think they do so to steal from someone and 64% for physical assault. Over a third (35%) believe people spike drinks for fun.
- While more than 80% of respondents correctly recognised that adding both illegal or pharmaceutical drugs to any type of drink constitutes spiking, fewer people knew that it also includes the addition of alcohol to a non-alcoholic drink (75%) and adding extra alcohol to an alcoholic drink (68%).
- Nearly half (47%) said that topping up someone’s drink without their knowledge counted as spiking - the same proportion that said giving someone a stronger measure of alcohol - while only one in five (19%) correctly believed that encouraging someone to drink more than intended counts as spiking.
As part of the 2025 Drinkaware Monitor, Drinkaware included a dedicated section on spiking, developed by experts at Anglia Ruskin University to deepen understanding of drink spiking trends in the UK.
Since 2021, the collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University has produced in-depth research on the prevalence of the issue and has contributed to the wider national conversation on drink spiking, alongside the important work of other charities such as Spike Aware UK, Talk About Trust, The Egalitarian, Stamp Out Spiking.
In recognition of the research and work of the organisations above, Drinkaware was invited to a government roundtable discussion at Number 10 Downing Street, attended by the Prime Minister, industry leaders, police chiefs, and transport bosses.
You can read the full report here and press release here.