Cardiff nightclub criticised over charge for anti-spiking lids says it 'made a mistake'

A Cardiff nightclub says it made a mistake in charging customers for drink covers that aim to help prevent spiking.Recent months have seen a spate of spiking reports at bars and nightclubs across the UK.

A one-night boycott of clubs was held last month by the Big Night In Cardiff group in protest at spiking, as part of a national campaign.Pryzm, on Greyfriars Road in Cardiff city centre, sparked anger recently by charging 20p for anti-spiking drink covers.

The venue says this was a "mistake" and it is now offering the covers for free, having listened to feedback.

Spiking often refers to putting drugs in someone's drink without their knowledge, but there have also been recent reports of spiking by injection. South Wales Police received 18 reports of potential needle spiking in September and October.

Cardiff Women's Aid CEO Debbie Beadle said the charge was "not acceptable" and welcomed the u-turn, adding: "The emphasis shouldn't be put on women and victims of abuse to make themselves safe."

She said: "It's nightclubs' responsibility to make sure they are doing everything in their power to make an environment where it's unacceptable to have this behaviour. Women are scared to go out. We are now seeing women staying at home. Is that the society we want?"It's more than just putting covers on drinks. That's not stopping injections happening. It's about training staff to be more vigilant, making sure they are covering areas where it could happen. Whether that means staffing clubs more, that's what they should be doing."It's a growing concern. This is having an impact on young women's lives, especially after Covid and the impact on being able to go out, and this builds into that anxiety."

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said on October 25 that there had been around 140 confirmed reports of spiking that month and in September, and another 24 reports of "some form of injection". There were both male and female victims but the majority were young women.A Pryzm spokeswoman said: “Keeping our guests safe is our number one priority. We’ve listened to our guests and accept we made a mistake and are not charging for drink spiking devices.”The club chain says its staff are "fully trained" on spiking and what to look out for. It is searching all customers on entry, with ID scanners and metal detector arches. Its security staff wear bodycams and it has medics in its venues.

South Wales Police say they are aware of "public concern" around spiking reports, as well as "some concern at the possibility that people are being ‘spiked’ by needles or syringes containing drugs".Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Gilmer said: "We have received reports from people who believe [needle spiking] might have happened to them and these are currently under investigation. The 18 reports [in September and October] range from the person reporting feeling a pin-prick or experiencing soreness or a mark to the arm.“Our officers are working with licensed premises to alert them to spiking methods and asking them to be extra vigilant at this time. We take all reports seriously and encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact us.“South Wales Police has an excellent history of partnership working and we provide training to staff at city centre licensed premises to help them identify and safeguard vulnerable people and we regularly see examples of where this training has paid off.”A Senedd debate was held on Wednesday over potential measures to clamp down on spiking. Ideas included free drug test strips at all Welsh venues, better staff access to training on spiking, and tougher sentences for those found guilty of spiking.