THREE incidents of drink spiking in Winchester have been reported to police since the start of the year, the Chronicle can reveal.

Officers say the incidents are unconfirmed, but insisted they are working with venues across the city nonetheless to make sure they are 'spike aware'.

This comes after a recent flurry of reported cases on social media through a page believed to be run by students at the University of Winchester. 

The Chronicle spoke to one 19-year-old student who said he had been hospitalised after having his drink spiked during a night out in February. 

READ MORE: Action to be taken on drink spiking as Winchester students report incidents

He was found by his friends semi-conscious outside Dominos in Upper Brook Street shortly after midnight and taken to hospital where he says tests showed either ‘Ketamine or Rohypnol’ in his system. 

Describing the ordeal, the student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I have no memory between midnight and 6am at which time I woke up in A&E. I was found by my friends slumped against a wall being sick, sweating profusely, frothing from the mouth, my nose bleeding and dropping in and out of consciousness. I’m 6ft4 and very athletic, so God forbid what would’ve happened to a girl who may have been a lot smaller, too. It’s awful.” 

The student said he decided not to report the incident to police as he wasn't sure whether much could be done about it.

Last week, venues and authorities across Winchester insisted they are working closely to protect partygoers from drink spiking in the city.  

Echoing that message, inspector John Stribley from Winchester’s Neighbourhood team said: “Drink spiking is a serious offence and we have been working with venues in the city to ensure they are ‘spike aware’ and measures are in place to safeguard customers.

"Since January 1, 2022 we have received three unconfirmed reports of drink spiking in Winchester.

"Drink spiking is carried out to make a person vulnerable to a more serious offence which is why vulnerability training is key.

"For this reason, officers have been speaking to staff at these venues to raise awareness, offer welfare and vulnerability training to help people spot the signs and provide advice around implementing preventative measures such as making available covers for straws, glasses and bottles. 

"We are also working closely with our partners and the university rolling out educational initiatives around these issues. 

"We have invested in multi-drug test kits across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. These kits give an immediate reading to help us obtain early evidence following a report of spiking and can provide valuable reassurance to people.  

"It is vital that anyone who believes they have been spiked reports it to venue staff and police immediately. The quicker we know about it the quicker we can identify offenders and safeguard you.   

"We want to be absolutely clear that drink spiking will not be tolerated in Winchester."

A spokesperson for Winchester City Council said: "The council has not received any recent reports regarding the alleged spiking of drinks in venues located in Winchester. Licensed premises have a duty of care to their customers and have access to resources and advice in relation to preventing drink spiking from the local police licensing team and the local Pubwatch scheme."

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