LONDON: Young women throughout the UK boycotted nightclubs and pubs Wednesday as university and cities joined in the protest “night girl in” national after increasing reports of drinks and students being sedenced by injections.
The campaign, which has gained momentum in university cities including Bristol, Brighton and Nottingham, wanting more urgent action by the government and nightclub to prevent weapons and “dating rape” taken to the club.
“Girls Night in” Acrosing Booters in British cities this week has collected thousands of followers on social media.
Protests came after a sharp increase in the past few months the drink and needle reports “spiking” – where women reported injected with drugs behind or at the foot at the club – when students returned to campus after the Covid pandemic.
The National Police Chief Council said that there were 198 reports of drinks confirmed in September and October throughout the UK, and 24 reports were injected when they came out.
Police in Nottingham said last week that additional officers were patrolling on weekends to make sure people could enjoy a safe night.
At Brighton, the United Kingdom of South Coast, Detective said they were investigating six female reports injected for the past week.
The police conducted an examination without notice all night, and all reports were taken “very seriously”, said Supervisor of Justin Burtenshaw, Commander for Brighton and Hove.
Whoever believes they might be a victim of spiking must let the police or bar staff know so they can be tested for potential medicines, he added.
Boycott organizers say on Instagram that “spiking has become an epidemic”.
“Never before we heard so many students wake up without memory about what happened the night before,” read the message.