Police Scotland is investigating seven allegations of Spiking at University of St Andrews within a month.
Fife’s prestigious school was named the best in Sunday Times University Guide. Students claimed they were subject to a series of drunken sips at school functions, such as balls.
A few people believe they may have been inject with needles in response to an increased number of reports about similar incidents throughout the UK.
In October, a week-long, nation-wide boycott of nightclubs dubbed the ‘Girls Night In’ campaign saw protesters calling for action over the issue. A petition to make it a legal requirement for all nightclubs to ‘thoroughly search guests on entry’ garnered more than 170,000 signatures.
Home Secretary Priti Patel subsequently demanded an update from police investigating the scale of the UK’s ‘spiking epidemic’.
The MPs have launched an investigation into this issue, and they are now collecting evidence from victims of drink-spiking.
Police Scotland is investigating seven allegations of Spiking at University of St Andrews in just one Month
In October, a week-long, nation-wide boycott of nightclubs dubbed the ‘Girls Night In’ campaign saw protesters calling for action over the issue (file image)
Police Scotland claimed that seven incidents occurred between October and November. However, three of the other allegations against them have since been dropped and one has been concluded to not be criminal.
According to the student union, it has taken steps to address the issue and warns anyone who spikes on its premises will be expelled for life.
Lauren Gravener, who reported having her drink spiked at the Welly Ball – an annual charity event held on the outskirts of St Andrews in November – said she was so severely incapacitated after her spiking, she was unable to return home that night.
‘I got spiked a few weeks ago at the Welly Ball and was consequently reported as a missing person until I was found early that morning,’ she said.
‘I reported it to the police, who said that they had never encountered a case of spiking in Fife in their 12 years of police work.
‘I know that at the time, which was two days after the Welly Ball, that two others had gone to the police saying they believed they had been spiked as well.’
Another woman said: ‘After a normal number of drinks over a couple of hours, I was approached by a few guys at the bar.
‘After getting a bad vibe from them and refusing a drink, I went home shortly after, while feeling suddenly extremely disoriented, dizzy, sleepy, and nauseated, and soon got violently ill.’
One student claimed she had had to help a friend after her drink was spiked at the university’s Opening Ball.
She said: ‘Her drink was sitting on the bar for just a couple minutes and [she was]It is easy to stand next to.
‘I didn’t recognise what was happening to her as being drugged, and neither did the workers who were helping me clean her up, but in hindsight it was totally clear that’s what had happened.’
A female student claimed that her flatmate was spiked with a needle while she was out on the Student Union night.
‘My flatmate came back home in an absolute state, but had only had one drink,’ she claimed.
‘At first we brushed it off, but after passing out for hours she woke to find an odd bruise on her arm. It had a puncture mark at the center, which was revealed when she examined it closer.
Juliet McGeough shared this photo. It was taken after Juliet went to Reading Berkshire’s bar last year.
Following a spike in drink-spiking incidents in Manchester, protestors took to the streets
‘She went to the hospital, scared it could have been a dirty needle, but she was told there was nothing they could do once the drug was out of her system.’
Student union the St Andrews Students’ Association introduced measures including random bag searches, increased training for security, test strips for both drinks and urine available upon request, and increased signage throughout venues to highlight the prevalence of spiking and means of prevention.
Anna-Ruth Cockerham, director of wellbeing, told MailOnline: ‘The Students’ Association has taken a range of measures to tackle spiking and ensure that our students can have a safe night out.
‘The responsibility for spiking lies solely with the perpetrators and anyone found spiking on our premises will be banned from our premises for life and referred to the university conduct officer and the police.’
Professor Clare Peddie, vice-principal for education at St Andrews University, told MailOnline: ‘We take this issue extremely seriously.
‘It’s clear from evidence given to the Home Affairs Committee this week that this is a deeply worrying and apparently widespread problem which generates a significant concern among students here and at universities around the country.
‘We are working very closely with our Students’ Association and other student groups and have implemented practical measures to protect our students and help them to feel more secure, including ensuring that our student services critical responders are equipped with test strips.
‘We have also held helpful discussions at a senior level with Police Scotland and continue to work closely with our community police officers on steps to support prevention, evidence gathering and detection.’
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Between Saturday, October 16 and Thursday, November 18 2021, 11 people reported to police that they believed their drinks had been spiked whilst out socialising in St Andrews.
‘Of those reports, three were withdrawn by the complainers, and following investigation, one has been concluded as no criminality had taken place. Enquiries are ongoing in to the remaining seven reports.’
According to the spokesperson, there were no more reports of spiking after November 18.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: ‘Police Scotland is working with a range of partners, both locally and nationally, to ensure licensed premises are safe spaces for all, through the continued delivery of ByStander Awareness training.
‘We are also working in partnership with other emergency services, student bodies, universities/colleges and third-sector organisations to raise awareness and provide support for anyone affected.’