Male Victims Make Up a Third of Spike in Drink-Related Crimes in Britain

Recent data reveals a significant shift in the demographics of victims reporting spiking incidents to authorities, with approximately one-third of these victims now being men. The overall number of reported cases of spiking has surged more than fourfold since 2020.

The share of spiking incidents involving male victims has shown a steady increase since 2021, rising from around 23% to one-third as of last year. Following the pandemic, reported cases escalated from approximately 2,000 in 2020 to about 9,000 by 2025.

Spiking occurs when an individual is unknowingly administered alcohol or drugs, whether by having their drink tampered, being injected with a needle, or via other means such as a laced vape. Data from Police UK indicates that most spiking incidents do not lead to sexual assault or theft, contrary to common assumptions, but rather result in considerable emotional distress and anxiety for the victims.

Authorities emphasize that spiking can expose victims to an elevated risk of injury, theft, or physical assault, and are treating such reports with the same seriousness as violent attacks. Women continue to make up the majority of reported cases, with over 5,000 female victims noted last year; around 1,000 cases did not specify the victim’s gender. Nonetheless, it is estimated that only about 20% of spiking victims report their experiences to the police.

A third of victims reported spiking attacks to police are now men, data has shown

The rising tide of male victims is not entirely understood. However, leaders of the charity Spike Aware UK, who actively engage with secondary schools and university events to raise awareness, have noted an increasing interest among young men in understanding spiking and ways to protect themselves.

This charity was established by Colin and Mandy Mackie following the tragic death of their son, Greg, who passed away at age 18 after being spiked at a gathering while only consuming cola. Despite having the equivalent of five ecstasy tablets in his system, contributing factors remain unclear as no one was prosecuted for his death.

Sharing Greg’s story serves as a powerful reminder that spiking is not merely a prank—it can be life-threatening. Colin Mackie recently recounted a conversation with a Scottish man whose drink was spiked while on holiday, further highlighting the various unexpected scenarios where spiking can occur.

The Metropolitan Police have introduced technology to tackle spiking, including vape test kits which can detect drugs such as THC and spice

The average age of spiking victims who file reports is 27, with one in five suspects identified as female. Recently, Adina Mihai, 31, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for posing as a sex worker and spiking four men in their homes, resulting in the death of two victims.

A survey indicated that around 90% of UK adults associate spiking with sexual assault or robbery, though 55% of reported cases did not involve any additional crimes. While women were often victimized in conjunction with sexual offenses, men frequently faced theft or blackmail.

Spiking incidents in London rose nearly 10% last year, yet only 5% of these led to charges. The Metropolitan Police recorded over 2,700 spiking complaints between December 2024 and November 2025, reflecting a 125% increase in charges compared to the previous year. However, authorities reiterated that they believe only a small fraction of incidents are reported.

A variety of notable spiking cases have gained publicity in recent months, including one allegedly involving a Member of Parliament in a bar setting. Presenter Ranvir Singh from Good Morning Britain shared her harrowing experience after consuming half a glass of spiked wine, which incapacitated her to the point of complete disorientation.