Policy background Administering a substance with intent to cause harm
Administering a substance with intent to cause harm ("spiking"). In September 2021, the media began drawing attention to a new phenomenon of reported cases of spiking by needles.
	In response, the Home Secretary asked the National Police Chiefs’ Council ("NPCC") to urgently review the extent and scale of the issue of needle spiking. This has included establishing a reporting mechanism to enable forces to report any reported incidences of needle-spiking in their area to help us to better understand the scale and nature of the problem. It has also led to the development of a rapid testing capability which will enable the Police to broaden the understanding of the substances used by offenders to facilitate spiking.
	The Government recognises the public’s concerns about spiking and their right to feel safe when out in public. Section 71 requires the Home Secretary to set out the Government’s assessment of the whole issue of spiking, whether drink spiking or needle-spiking, and will outline the actions that the Government is taking to tackle it.