New spiking offence becomes law as campaigners welcome ‘major milestone’
New law aims to boost reporting and prosecutions as charity expands prevention training across the South West
A new law aimed at tackling drink spiking has come into force, with campaigners saying it marks a significant step forward in protecting victims and improving reporting.
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on April 29, introducing a modern offence of “administering a harmful substance” to better reflect and address spiking.
The updated legislation replaces outdated offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, making it clearer in modern language that spiking is a serious criminal act.
National charity Stamp Out Spiking, which has campaigned for reform for years, welcomed the change, saying it would improve public understanding and strengthen the criminal justice response.
Founder and CEO Dawn Dines said: “Some campaigns take years. This one has taken decades. This change matters because it makes the law clearer and more visible.
“That clarity is important for victims, for police, and for every venue and organisation that wants to do the right thing. But the law is only one part of the solution.”
Spiking – the act of administering substances without consent, often to harm or incapacitate – remains widely underreported, with campaigners hoping the new law will encourage more victims to come forward.
Alongside the national legal change, the charity is expanding its work across the South West, including training programmes at universities such as University of Exeter, Falmouth University and University of Plymouth.
The training, supported by funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, will focus on prevention, early identification and how to respond effectively to incidents.
Stamp Out Spiking has also received a Community Safety Grant to support its work locally, as part of wider efforts to tackle violence against women and girls.
Campaigners say the introduction of the new offence should lead to more consistent recording and prosecution of spiking incidents, as well as clearer communication to victims.
However, they stress that legislation alone is not enough, urging venues, organisations and communities to strengthen safeguarding measures, staff training and support pathways.
The charity says the new law should act as a “call to action” to ensure prevention and response measures are in place nationwide.