Study reveals shocking number of drink spiking victims in UK

WorldHealth & Fitness
21 Mar 2026 • 12:55 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A new study indicates that almost one million UK adults were victims of drink spiking last year, making it the most comprehensive survey on the crime to date.
  • Despite the high number of incidents, three-quarters (77 per cent) of victims did not report the crime to the police, often citing a belief that no action would be taken or an inability to clearly recall the event.
  • The survey revealed that women were the most likely victims (58 per cent), with bars identified as the most common location for incidents (41 per cent), and 25- to 34-year-olds reporting the highest number of cases.
  • These findings are based on a YouGov poll of 7,256 British adults, conducted in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University and the alcohol charity Drinkaware.
  • Experts from both ARU and Drinkaware are urging for increased awareness about drink spiking and encouraging victims to report incidents to the police, stressing that a significant number of cases currently go unreported.

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