Humberside Police are investigating a suspected spiking incident in Hull's Old Town, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of last Sunday. The investigation follows a 21-year-old woman's belief she was injected while on a night out.
Laila Everett, from Hull, said she was taken to hospital after experiencing severe vomiting and being unable to move or talk. She woke up with a small red mark on her shoulder, which she believes is where she was injected. Police have taken samples, and she is awaiting the results.
Another individual, Brandon Collins, 20, believes he was spiked in Hull's Old Town a few weeks prior, stating he felt severely ill after only a couple of drinks. He did not report his incident to the police but was helped by ambulance staff.
The incidents come after spiking was recognised as a specific criminal offence in the Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent this year. According to government guidelines, victims should be tested as soon as possible, though police can test up to seven days after a suspected incident.
Colin Mackie, founder of Spike Aware UK, believes spiking via needles is on the rise again. Research by Drinkaware and Anglia Ruskin University suggests that 90% of spiking incidents go unreported.