People are being warned about the dangers of spiking, amid a 13% increase in the crime in London in a year.
The Met Police is also highlighting the issue of spiking offences not involving drinks, with drugs like MDMA and Spice being used to contaminate vapes.
The force said it received 1,383 allegations of spiking in 2023 – an average of more than 26 a week.
BBC London went on patrol with officers in Soho in central London to find out more about the problem.
During the Friday night ride-along, Acting Sgt Karl Gore said: “Spiking offences are quite underreported, but nationwide and across London they are going up. It is predominantly female victims.
“Unfortunately, there are individuals out there that wish to take advantage of females.”
Statistics released by the Met suggest 60% of reported cases were from women and 40% from men, with about 60% of cases taking place place in licensed venues.
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