Clubbers who spike drinks face ten years in jail under crackdown by Home Secretary to protect women and girls

A crackdown on spiking drinks was announced last night to encourage victims of the scourge to come forward.

With the party season in full swing, Home Secretary James Cleverly unveiled plans to make it clear that adding alcohol or drugs to someone's drink or body without their knowledge or consent is illegal.

Mr Cleverly said: 'The public should be under no illusion – spiking is a serious offence and I urge anyone who suspects they have been a victim of this to contact the police now.

'Ensuring that women and girls can live their lives free from fear is one of my top priorities as Home Secretary.'

Warning that offenders could face up to 10 years in jail, officials said that specific parts of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 are to be updated. Separate guidance, set in law, will also provide an unequivocal definition of what spiking is, as part of measures to protect women and girls.

This will include training frontline staff and encouraging victims to come forward.

The new move comes nearly 12 months after then Home Office Minister Sarah Dines claimed that a new specific offence was not needed. In January, she declared that 'existing offences cover all methods of spiking, including by drink, needle, vape, cigarette, food or any other known form'.

Last night Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that 'action on spiking is long overdue'. Ms Cooper added: 'Labour has been calling for a stand-alone spiking offence to make it much easier to get action against dangerous perpetrators. And we need more prevention work in clubs, pubs and bars.'