Suspected drink-spiking cases rise across Lothians

TEN people reported having their drinks spiked with drugs to police last year, new figures have revealed.

Lothian and Borders Police recorded ten cases where "drugs were surreptitiously or dishonestly administered with the intent of incapacitating the victim".

The figures represent a rise on the eight cases recorded in 2008/9, but a fall from the 15 reported in 2007/8.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police treat any allegation of drugging seriously, and anyone who is identified as being responsible for a drugging offence can expect to be dealt with robustly.

"There are a number of measures people can take to guard against having their drink spiked by drugs. Not leaving your drink unattended is the safest way to guard against having your drink spiked.

"In addition, friends should encourage each other to keep an eye on their drinks, and people shouldn't accept drinks from people they don't know."