Appeal following report of possible spiking by injection in Cheltenham

Police are appealing for witnesses following a report of a possible spiking by injection at a venue in Cheltenham earlier this month.

The incident happened in the town on the evening of Monday 18 April and into the early hours of the following day.

The 19-year-old victim reported that she been in MooMoo Clubrooms and then walked to Popworld at around 2am. She then suddenly became lightheaded and nauseous.

The woman called for a relative to pick her up and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to be assessed and had blood tests taken. Police are currently awaiting the results.

The victim believes she may have been injected in the thigh after noticing discomfort.

Investigating officers are trying to establish what caused the woman to become unwell and are asking for anyone who saw anything suspicious between 1am and 2am to come forward.

Both venues are working with police and assisting with enquiries at this time.

You can provide information to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 27 of 22 April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ 

Alternatively you can call police on 101 or submit information anonymously to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Gloucestershire Constabulary take reports of spiking very seriously. The welfare of the person involved is officers' main concern and reports of spiking, including by injection, will be investigated.

The Force launched an anti-drink spiking initiative in September last year, working with nightclubs and pubs across the county. These night time venues have been provided with specialist anti-drink spiking test cards which allow for drinks to be tested at the bar if someone feels that their drink has been tampered with.

Police officers have also been trained in using drink spiking test cups, which tests urine to see if certain drugs are in a person's system.

These measures aim to give venues the tools they need to help ensure the safety of their patrons and for police officers to be better equipped to assist at the earliest opportunity and ensure the victim receives support.

More information on drink spiking, including how to spot it and what you should do if someone is suspected of having been spiked, can be found here: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/staying-safe-while-drinking/drink-spiking-and-date-rape-drugs/