Met Police warn spiking rising with drug laced vapes

The Metropolitan Police has warned that spiking in London is rising and changing in character, with offenders increasingly using drug-laced vapes and everyday medicines while targeting victims in private homes and parties rather than bars and clubs. Detectives recorded more than 2,700 spiking-related offences in the past year, a 20% increase on the previous year, according to the force. Only 131 of those cases resulted in a charge, caution or summons. More than half of the victims were aged between 18 and 35. Detective Superintendent Dan Thompson, the Met's spiking lead, said offenders are using a wider range of substances than ever before, including substances added to vapes, while increasingly targeting victims in private settings such as homes, parties and student accommodation. Detectives have identified cases involving vapes containing THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and the synthetic drug Spice, alongside high doses of antihistamines and travel-sickness tablets that cause drowsiness. The shift marks a move away from so-called date-rape drugs such as rohypnol and GHB towards substances that are easily obtained over the counter.