iStockPolice have launched an investigation following a report that a woman was spiked by injection during a night out.
The incident is alleged to have taken place at The Liquid Room in Edinburgh on Saturday, October 9.
Officers also hope to track down a woman who claimed online that she was the victim of spiking by injection at Captain’s Cabin in Dundee.
In addition, police are investigating a separate report of a woman’s drink “possibly being spiked” at Tingle Bar in Stirling on Saturday night.
Bosses from The Liquid Room, Tingle Bar and Captain’s Cabin said they have yet to be notified directly about the alleged incidents. However, the three venues pledged to assist the police probes and urged anyone who feels they may have been the victim of a crime within their premises to report it.
In response to the Edinburgh incident, a police spokesperson said the force had received a report and “enquiries are at an early stage”.
A Liquid Room spokesperson told STV News: “We have not been notified directly of this alleged incident or any similar incidents by Police Scotland or any individuals as yet.
“We also haven’t seen any other reports of a similar nature happen in The Liquid Room.
“Any allegations of any crimes committed in The Liquid Room is taken seriously and if any customers report directly to us, we will investigate thoroughly and gladly assist Police Scotland if called upon.
“Customer safety is our top priority. We urge anyone who feels they may have been the victim of a crime in The Liquid Room to please contact us directly or Police Scotland.”
In response to the alleged drink spiking in Stirling, MSP Evelyn Tweed said she had been contacted by a “number of concerned constituents”.
She has since written to Police Scotland, asking if complaints have been made and what action is being taken to address the matter.
The Stirling MSP also wished to clarify a claim made on social media that police officers failed to act on the allegation.
Posting on Twitter, Emma Fulton claimed her friend had been spiked and when she went to speak to police about it, they reportedly “wanted absolutely nothing to do with it and told us to put her in a taxi home”.
In her letter, MSP Tweed wrote: “As you will be aware, Stirling has a lively night-time economy on most nights of the week, not just at weekends, and I am keen to ensure that people, particularly young women, are able to enjoy this without fear and in the full knowledge that Police Scotland will support them in the event of an incident unfortunately occurring.”
Speaking to STV News, MSP Tweed said: “My office has received pressing concerns from constituents, regarding nightlife safety and spiking incidents in recent weeks.
“I have raised these concerns directly with Police Scotland, and have requested further information on the actions they are taking to address these anxieties in Stirling.
“Everyone deserves to enjoy themselves in a safe manner, and businesses have a responsibility for the wellbeing and security of their customers.
“I await a response from Police Scotland, and constituents with further concerns or information should contact the police directly on 101 or 999.”
In response, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a report of a drink possibly being spiked at a premises in Stirling on Saturday, October 16.
“Enquiries are at an early stage and ongoing.
“We would encourage anyone with any concerns around this, or anyone who believes they may have been a victim of drink spiking, to report it to police. All reports will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.”
Posting on Instagram, a spokesperson for Tingle Bar said they were aware of recent media reports of “spiking incidents in bars and clubs around Scotland”.
They added: “Guest safety will always be paramount to us and we would like to reassure everyone that our front and back of house areas are fully covered with CCTV and we employ toilet attendants to oversee the parts we cannot monitor.
“We also operate each night with double the recommended SIA accredited stewards and a random search policy to ensure everyone’s safety.
“In a situation like this we would always encourage you to contact the relevant authorities if you have any concerns.
“Contrary to recent social media discussions, we have not received any official complaints of this nature.
“We stand ready and willing to help in any way we can.”
In a further allegation posted online, a third woman claimed she was spiked by injection during a night out at Captain’s Cabin in Dundee.
The woman said she “blacked out suddenly” and woke up in the morning with the feeling of “pins and needles” in her left arm.
Posting a picture of her punctured arm online, she said: “The injection left me unable to walk without the help of someone else and I could barely string a sentence together.”
She added: “I also just looked very drunk at the time which is worrying in case this prevents other girls in future from getting appropriate help if needed.”
The woman said she was going to the hospital “to get checked”.
In response to the post, a spokesperson for Captain’s Cabin said: “We have been made aware of a serious allegation regarding an alleged incident at our venue over the weekend.
“We are very aware that the safety and wellbeing of our customers is paramount, even more so given the events of recent weeks and months throughout the UK.
“Since then, a post regarding this matter has gone viral nationally despite not being able to verify the facts with the individual.
“We have since reported this incident to the police, and we would like to hear from the alleged victim, as we are yet to receive any official complaint regarding this matter.
“We also understand that the police have not received a complaint.
“Any allegation of this nature is taken very seriously and we always work with the relevant authorities and individuals to ensure that all matters are fully investigated.
“Our number one priority is, and always has been, the safety of our valued customers and the community which we have cultivated here at Captain’s Cabin.”
A police spokesperson told STV News that officers have been unable to identify the woman.
The force said: “Officers in Dundee are investigating a post on social media about a female being spiked by injection at a premises on Ward Road.
“Enquiries are at an early stage and ongoing.
“Officers have not yet been able to identify the person who made the original post and are appealing for anyone with any information to contact 101.”
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