Colchester students warned about spiking ahead of freshers

Colchester has seen a number of incidents of drinks being spiked in recent years.

That was followed by unwary victims being injected with drugs as they partied.

Now there are warnings that drugged vapes are being used. 

Vincent Geaves, the new Our Colchester Business Improvement District (BID) manager, says Freshers' Week is a time when people can be vulnerable.

He said: “At the start of the academic year, students are away from home in what can be an unfamiliar place, with new people and new friends, and they sometimes can let their guard down.

“The idea is to go out and have fun — but we’ve got to make sure we’re there to support them.”

Mr Geaves warned that as well as drugs being laced into drinks, spiking can take place by injection, and more recently using contaminated vapes.

Safe - Our Colchester Business Improvement District runs several safety campaigns throughout the year for spiking. (Image: Our Colchester BID)

He said: “We know there’s a lot that people have to think about before they go out, and the safety messages for us are really important.

“We try to alleviate people’s fear by making sure they do feel safe, and that we can get them the help and support if they need it.”

BID runs several campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness about spiking and support, as well as the Open Road SOS Bus.

It hands out booklets and goodie bags along with anti-spiking products, which includes drinks covers and ‘spikey’ covers for bottles which allows a straw to go through.

Protection - Open Road SOS bus is one of Our Colchester BID's support systems in place. (Image: Our Colchester BID) Mr Geaves said: “We pride ourselves in Colchester that the staff training encourages them to be active bystanders, so that means we don’t wait for people to have to come to us first — we actively seek out people who we feel are vulnerable.

“But of course, if you believe you or a friend have been spiked, please, please always report it to the police.”

BID works alongside the venues, which have had input into staff training and use a live radio system so they can communicate in real time if there is a person they are concerned about travelling between venues.

Mr Geaves said: “The venues do take it really, really seriously and do want to make sure people are safe.

“Protecting vulnerable people is a pillar in a venue’s license, and it is the responsibility of the venues to then come to their support.”