Drink Spiking
Camden Council is implementing venue training and women's safety initiatives to combat drink spiking, while Hillingdon reviews its licensing policy.
Camden Council's Licensing Committee discussed initiatives to enhance women's safety in the evening and night-time economy in July 2026. This follows discussions in July 2025 where the committee addressed drink spiking as a significant concern, particularly in Holborn & Covent Garden and Camden Town, focusing on preventative measures and victim support, according to a report.
As part of these efforts, Camden Council aims to train 60% of its licensed venues in vulnerability awareness by the end of 2028, including drink spiking prevention, as discussed by the Licensing Committee in July 2025. By December 2024, 140 venues had been trained, with a target of 1,020 venues by 2028. Separately, Hillingdon Council is seeking public input on its updated draft Statement of Licensing Policy, which was discussed by its Cabinet in September 2025.
The Hillingdon policy review is required every five years and is due for approval by January 2026, following its adoption in January 2021. Camden Council is also an active participant in pan-London forums focused on women's safety, sharing and learning from other boroughs' practices. Drink spiking involves secretly adding alcohol or drugs to someone's drink without their consent.
Key facts
- Hillingdon Council is seeking public input on its updated draft Statement of Licensing Policy. Source
- Hillingdon Council's Cabinet discussed the draft Statement of Licensing Policy on 18 September 2025. Source
- Camden Council aims to train 60% of its licensed venues in vulnerability awareness by the end of 2028. Source
- Camden Council's Licensing Committee addressed drink spiking on 7 July 2025. Source 1 Source 2
- A report to Camden's Licensing Committee mentioned 53 drink spiking incidents. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.