Police Scotland has recorded 144 reports of spiking in a single year, with more than a thousand allegations made since 2016, prompting a warning about the 'significant risk of harm' the offence poses.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that 144 people reported being spiked by drugs or alcohol in Scotland in one year. Under current legislation, administering either substance to an individual via their drink or by injection without their knowledge or consent is a criminal offence.
Police crackdown on spiking
Police Scotland is now collaborating with bars, pubs, universities and other student venues to raise awareness and provide guidance. The force stated: "Police Scotland continues to investigate reports of 'spiking'. Spiking, whether by adding drugs or alcohol to someone's drink, or by injection, or any other method, without their consent, is a criminal offence.
"It can put people at significant risk of harm. Officers are not always able to determine the reasons why a perpetrator carries out an assault in this way, but every report is taken seriously and investigated robustly."
The force further confirmed it was continuing to "work with a range of partners, locally and nationally, to ensure pubs and clubs are safe spaces for all". It added: "We are working in communities, with licensees, pubs and clubs, to provide advice and support and to offer bystander training to help spot the signs of when someone may be at risk.
"We have also reached out to student communities to offer advice, support and reassurance. We would encourage anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked or who has been assaulted in this way to contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency 999."
Figures show rise in offences
Crimes in Scotland are recorded in accordance with the Scottish Government Justice Department offence classifications, reports Glasgow Live. While there is no classification for 'spiking' specifically, there are two other offences that are relevant - "drugging" and "administering a substance for sexual purposes" which falls under Section 11 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.
Police Scotland clarified: "Drugging is a crime at Common Law when drugs are feloniously administered with intent to produce stupefaction. There need be no further intent, and it is not necessary that injury to the person be caused."
Prior to 2024, statistics could only display total victims, but since then, they have been separated by gender. Figures reveal that in 2016 there were 20 recorded offences, with 11 of these being detected. Numbers gradually climbed, reaching a peak in 2021 of 203 recorded offences, of which 15 were detected. By 2025, there were 144 recorded offences and 23 detected, taking the total reported offences over a 10-year period to 929. So far in 2026, up to August 17, a total of 117 cases have been recorded with 12 detected.
Breakdown by gender since 2024
Due to a change in the recording system, it is now possible to provide a breakdown by sex from January 1, 2024. This shows: 2024: 83 recorded offences where the victim was female of which 12 were detected; 2025: 103 recorded offences where the victim was female of which 17 were detected; 2026 (as at 17/8/2026): 90 recorded offences where the victim was female of which 8 were detected.
Chief Superintendent Derek Cree said: "We continue to investigate reports from people having been spiked. We would like to reassure you that every report is taken seriously and investigated.
"If a sufficiency of evidence is gained, reports are submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. People should be able to go out for a night out without fear of being spiked.
"We are working with a range of partners, both locally and nationally, to ensure licensed premises are safe spaces for all. We work in partnership with other emergency services, student bodies, universities/colleges and Third Sector organisations to raise awareness and provide support for anyone affected.
"We would encourage anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked or been assaulted in this way to contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency 999."
