Police patrols stepped up after spiking attacks in Sheffield

Police patrols have been stepped up in Sheffield after three women were spiked on nights out in the city.

A 19-year-old woman is in hospital after being injected with a suspected syringe at a club in Eyre Street in the early hours of yesterday morning (1 November). Two days earlier, a similar incident happened to an 18-year-old.

Police also received a report at a second city centre club in Carver Street on 30 October when another 18-year-old woman was injected and needed hospital treatment.

While police say they are not ruling anything out, evidence so far does not suggest that these crimes have a sexual motivation.

The news comes after a large increase in reports of spiking incidents across the region.

Humberside Police say October accounted for around 45% of 2021's reports of spiking.

A spokesperson said: "This rise in cases could be explained by improved education surrounding spiking, leading to an increase in people reporting these incidents.

"We urge anyone that thinks they may have been spiked to come forward as soon as possible and let us know when and where the incident happened. This can be done on 999 if in the moment or 101 after the fact."

The force has also issued the following information for anyone who thinks they have been spiked:

• Tell someone you trust completely: This should be a close friend, a relative, a medical professional or a police officer - be wary of accepting help from a stranger and do not go anywhere with someone you don’t know.

• Report it to the police and get tested as soon as you can: Most drugs leave the body within 72 hours of being taken, and the date-rape drug GHB leaves the body within 12 hours, therefore it is important to be tested as soon as possible.

The Government website Talk to Frank offers guidance on spiking and can be accessed here.