Sniffer dogs & anti-spike cups brought in to keep drinkers safe amid string of spikings as Halloween revellers hit clubs
SNIFFER dogs and anti-spike cups have been brought in to keep drinkers safe after a string of nightclub spikings.
The Astoria in Portsmouth, Hampshire, introduced the measures following scores of terrifying reports of attacks across the UK.
At least 56 reports of alleged injection incidents in bars have been made to UK police forces since the start of September, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
There have also been increased reports of drinks being spiked with "potentially harmful substances".
This has included one woman who found a needle mark after feeling "something sharp go into her shoulder" while out on a hen do.
Another woman was left writhing "like The Exorcist" after having her drink spiked while out with friends.
And a teenager who believes she was injected with a drug while clubbing was "sick and disorientated" after the ordeal.
Astoria, popular with students, upped its security for a Saw-themed Halloween night in response to the alarming "trend".
Drug detection dogs checked every customer at the door, and 64 ultra-high definition cameras monitored both inside and outside the venue.
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Drinks were also served in anti-spiking cups with lids to help make punters feel safe.
And visible security and undercover staff, both male and female, were dotted throughout the club, while welfare and first aiders were on hand.
Hundreds of revellers dressed as vampires and devils packed out the venue ahead of the official celebrations on October 31.
Women dressed as cowboys, cheerleaders and police officers partied until the early, while men wearing cow costumes and superhero get-up also joined the fun.
It comes as...
- Two teenagers are arrested for ‘conspiracy to poison’ after a string of women are spiked in nightclubs
- Shocking photos show the moment a woman, 20, struggles to move after her drink was spiked
- Female taxi driver, 45, takes FIVE drink-spiking victims to hospital in just a WEEK
- A man is charged with rape after ‘following a woman around a nightclub, spiking her and raping her in the street’
- Rebecca Derbyshire says clubs aren’t listening to women…we need to feel SAFE from date-rape spiking
- University slammed for ‘victim blaming’ students who get drinks spiked saying they should ‘prevent it’
- Three women are rushed to hospital after a night out as cops probe drink spiking fears
Astoria owner Alistair Ritchie said: "We have always had customer safety high on our priority, being the first venue in town to use dedicated welfare staff and sniffer dogs.
"We are also proud to be the only venue in Portsmouth so far to offer our customers anti-spiking cups with lids.
"We want our customers to feel reassured that we continue to provide a safe place to enjoy their evenings.
"The Astoria works hard to keep the creeps out of the party."
