Spiking statistics shock licensees during latest WAVE training event in Salisbury

Licensees and bar staff in Salisbury say they were shocked by the statistics they heard about spiking at the latest Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) and Licensing SAVI training event to be held in the city.

The free training, which is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, show bar and pub staff how to recognise signs of customer vulnerability, helping to prevent violent crime, sexual offences, and harm linked to drugs or alcohol.

Ed Halford is the general manager of the Hetty Bells in Salisbury:

"The stats about sexual assaults on women, spiking and the lack of reporting is horrific.  

"Something has got to change in the night time economy to make sure we can get that changed and I feel this training is really helping"

During the training the licensees were told what to do if there was a spiking incident at that their venue and how to preserve evidence for the police.

Sarah McCall is supervisor at the Market Tavern in Salisbury:

"Finding out what to do if someone is spiked and what to do to be more on the ball to help the police was useful.

"The stats are quite shocking. The spiking cases were a lot higher than I thought and the reporting was a lot lower."

Eren Bessem is from the Safer Business Network, which runs the WAVE Training: 

"Delivering WAVE training in Wiltshire has been a brilliant opportunity to strengthen local safeguarding and support frontline teams.

"The commitment from partners across the county has been outstanding, and it’s clear there’s a real drive to create safer spaces for everyone.”

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