The Metropolitan Police force has warned predators are increasingly using prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as drug-laced vapes to spike victims.
Detectives have seen cases with vapes that contain THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and the drug spice, as well as the use of high doses of everyday medication such as antihistamines and travel sickness pills that cause drowsiness.
There is also an increasing number of cases at private parties in flats or houses, rather than bars and clubs, the force said.
In the past year, more than 2,700 spiking-related offences were reported to the Met, of which just 131 led to a charge, caution or summons, although this was an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year.
Out of those, more than half the victims were aged 18 to 35.
Spiking cases are complex to investigate because the drugs are rapidly metabolised, and police encourage victims to report the crime quickly.
Self-testing kits sold online would also not detect many over-the-counter medicines or prescription drugs, the Met said, making reporting the crime even more crucial.
Detective Superintendent Dan Thompson, the Met’s spiking lead, said: “The nature of spiking is changing.”
The Met Police has warned predators are using new tactics to spike victims
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DS Thompson continued: “We’re seeing offenders use a wider range of substances than ever before, including everyday medications and substances added to vapes, while increasingly targeting victims in private settings such as homes, parties and student accommodation.
“Many of the substances now being used leave a narrow forensic window, which is why reporting as quickly as possible is so important.
“Reporting within the first 12 hours allows us to secure CCTV, obtain forensic evidence, identify witnesses and make arrests.
“Nobody should hesitate to come forward. Even if some time has passed, we still want to hear from you.”
Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called spiking ‘a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims’
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PATwo prolific sex offenders were jailed last year as part of separate Met investigations after they were convicted of targeting multiple women at their flats.
Rapist Chao Xu, 34, would give guests a drink he called “the spring of life”, that he had laced with substances including GHB and scopolamine, a travel sickness medication.
He was jailed for life in November 2025 for 24 sexual offences over the course of three years including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, upskirting and voyeurism.
The second case was Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 29, who also received a life sentence for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China.
Zhenhao Zou is regarded one of the worst sex offenders
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METROPOLITAN POLICEHe kept a trophy box of women’s belongings and filmed nine of the attacks, with jurors in the case having to watch the disturbing footage.
Awareness events are taking place throughout Freshers’ Week at various universities across London.
Colin Mackie, chair and co-founder of Spike Aware UK, said: “They’re starting a big adventure in life and are in areas that they’re not used to being in and are with people they don’t really know, so they’re a bit more vulnerable to people trying to take advantage of them.”
“That’s why it’s important for students to understand what spiking is, recognise the key signs and to know what to do if they think they, or a friend, may have been a victim.”
Freshers have been warned on how to spot the signs of spiking
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Mr Mackie continued: “Some of the common ways it can be done is through alcohol, needles and vapes. Spiking can also be done through food, and there are other ways of administering the drugs as well.
“You might have only just started drinking your drink, and then all of a sudden, you start feeling dizzy or sleepy.
“It can also cause hallucinations, and sometimes people can become aggressive through it as well.
“People often think that spiking victims are drunk because the symptoms are very similar, and that’s what causes a lot of confusion.”
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