Sidmouth: Testing kits to combat drink-spiking to become available in bars across Devon & Cornwall, police say

Devon and Cornwall Police has said that 'testing kits' will be made available in bars across the region to combat the spiking of drinks.

It comes amid concerns about drink-spiking and attacks with needles following an incident on Saturday 16 October in which a woman was assaulted with a needle in the Fever & Boutique nightclub in Exeter.

The police force has said that it tackling the issue of drink-spiking 'head-on' by making drink testing kits available in bars, and also having urine testing kits in all of its police stations to help identify those responsible.

Sergeant Dave Moore said: "These kits allow bar staff to test a person's drink to see if it has been interfered with. If it has, this allows evidence to be secured and medical assistance given to the victim. This can also help give peace of mind if the drink comes back clear from tampering.

"Bars who are part of the Best Bar None scheme, Pubwatch and all late-night venues across Devon and Cornwall have been supplied with these drink testing kits. Any other bars who wish to have access to these kits can contact the police licensing team and they will be supplied to them.

"We also have urine testing kits for use by police officers at police stations around the force which can be used for up to three days after the consumption of the drink to test for evidence of spiking."

Police are appealing for witnesses and those with information about the incident on Saturday 16 October to get in touch via [email protected] quoting crime reference CR/090910/21.

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