Issue - meetings

Council notes:

·      Drink spiking can affect anybody, but statistics show that the majority of victims, as well as those most likely to feel unsafe due to the risk of drink spiking are women and those of marginalised genders. 

·      That the parliamentary Home Affairs Committee opened a new enquiry into drink spiking on 12^th January 2022.

·      That the worrying trend of injection spiking has received a raised profile in the media recently.  This highly dangerous practice has caused increased concern for users of the night-time economy.  

·      That there were 43 reports of drink spiking made to Cambridgeshire Constabulary between January and October 2021.

·      That Anglia Ruskin University Students’ Union has raised direct concerns about drink spiking in an open appeal to clubs in Cambridge to ensure there are safety measures in place to prevent drink spiking such as providing drink covers and serving drinks directly into the hands of the customer. 

·      That Cambridge University Students’ Union has issued guidance to university event organisers to improve safety at nighttime events.

·      That Cambridgeshire Constabulary have recently received a large grant to improve safety in the nighttime economy and have issued drink testing kits to clubs in Cambridge and Peterborough.

 

Council believes:

·      Spiking is entirely the fault of the perpetrator and never the victim. 

·      Everyone has the right to feel and be safe at night.

·      While preventative measures are required to limit the impact of drink spiking in the short-term, education is required to ensure a long-term cultural change.

 

Council will:

·      Continue to work with our partners in the nighttime economy, including but not limited to pubs and club owners, the police and CAMBAC, to emphasise the need for urgent action to tackle drink spiking.

·      Produce an easily accessible information resource to share with the universities and nighttime economy venues and publicise this through the council’s channels, to educate and inform people about what to do if they believe they have been a victim of spiking, including how to take care of themselves or a friend, and where to report the incident to.

·      Encourage all venues serving alcohol to provide free drink stop tops and covers to prevent spiking, as well as education for club bouncers and security staff about how to recognize and advise someone who may have been spiked or injected and commit to offering funding for this in the next budget cycle, following an assessment of the demand and options available. 

·      Bring a report to the next Environment and Communities Committee to outline the activities of other partners across the city to prevent drink spiking, and to make recommendations to the Committee which identify further steps the Council can take to facilitate and support this work.

 

References
Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union Safer Nights Out appeal: https://www.angliastudent.com/news/article/union/Safer-Nights-Out/

Cambridge University Students’ Union guidance for party organisers: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/BEST-Night-Out-Support-for-Event-Organisers/

 

Councillor Payne proposed and Councillor Lee seconded the following motion:

 

Council notes:

·      Drink spiking can affect anybody, but statistics show that the majority of victims, as well as those most likely to feel unsafe due to the risk of drink spiking are women and those of marginalised genders. 

·      That the parliamentary Home Affairs Committee opened a new enquiry into drink spiking on 12^th January 2022.

·      That the worrying trend of injection spiking has received a raised profile in the media recently.  This highly dangerous practice has caused increased concern for users of the night-time economy.  

·      That there were 43 reports of drink spiking made to Cambridgeshire Constabulary between January and October 2021.

·      That Anglia Ruskin University Students’ Union has raised direct concerns about drink spiking in an open appeal to clubs in Cambridge to ensure there are safety measures in place to prevent drink spiking such as providing drink covers and serving drinks directly into the hands of the customer. 

·      That Cambridge University Students’ Union has issued guidance to university event organisers to improve safety at nighttime events.

·      That Cambridgeshire Constabulary have recently received a large grant to improve safety in the nighttime economy and have issued drink testing kits to clubs in Cambridge and Peterborough.

Council believes:

·      Spiking is entirely the fault of the perpetrator and never the victim. 

·      Everyone has the right to feel and be safe at night.

·      While preventative measures are required to limit the impact of drink spiking in the short-term, education is required to ensure a long-term cultural change.

Council will:

·      Continue to work with our partners in the nighttime economy, including but not limited to pubs and club owners, the police and CAMBAC, to emphasise the need for urgent action to tackle drink spiking.

·      Produce an easily accessible information resource to share with the universities and nighttime economy venues and publicise this through the council’s channels, to educate and inform people about what to do if they believe they have been a victim of spiking, including how to take care of themselves or a friend, and where to report the incident to.

·      Encourage all venues serving alcohol to provide free drink stop tops and covers to prevent spiking, as well as education for club bouncers and security staff about how to recognize and advise someone who may have been spiked or injected and commit to offering funding for this in the next budget cycle, following an assessment of the demand and options available. 

·      Bring a report to the next Environment and Communities Committee to outline the activities of other partners across the city to prevent drink spiking, and to make recommendations to the Committee which identify further steps the Council can take to facilitate and support this work.

 

References
Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union Safer Nights Out appeal: https://www.angliastudent.com/news/article/union/Safer-Nights-Out/

Cambridge University Students’ Union guidance for party organisers: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/BEST-Night-Out-Support-for-Event-Organisers/

 

Councillor Gilderdale proposed and Councillor Collis seconded the following amendment to motion (additional text underlined):

 

Council notes:

·      That misogyny, sexism, and gender-based violence are all rooted in inequality and an abuse of power. This form of violence is mainly committed towards women and girls, and includes stalking, harassment, and sexual abuse.

·      That trans women and women of colour are also more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimisation.

·      That data on gender-based violence is often inaccurate, with reporting and conviction rates remaining shockingly low.

·      That, amid national debates last year around women’s safety, police forces recorded a record number of rape offences in England and Wales, while the ONS reported that sexual offences had increased by 8%. Drink spiking must therefore be understood within the broader context of gender-based violence which, as a council we are actively combatting while striving to support all victims of abuse and harassment.

·      People’s safety across the city, particularly at night, is of utmost importance to the council and local organisations.

·      Harassment and drink spiking can affect anybody, but statistics show that the majority of victims, as well as those most likely to feel unsafe due to the risk of drink spiking are women and those of marginalised genders.

·      It is understood that many of these crimes go unreported yet are widely witnessed across the Night Time Economy (NTE). Statistics from a StoppTops survey show that 97% of drink spiking cases are not reported.

·      That the parliamentary Home Affairs Committee opened a new enquiry into drink spiking on 12th January 2022.

·      That the worrying trend of injection spiking has received a raised profile in the media recently. Both drink spiking and injection spiking are highly dangerous, premeditated, and criminal practices which have caused increased concern for users of the night-time economy.

·      That there were 43 reports of drink spiking made to Cambridgeshire Constabulary between January and October 2021.

·      That Anglia Ruskin University Students’ Union has raised direct concerns about drink spiking in an open appeal to clubs in Cambridge to ensure there are safety measures in place to prevent drink spiking such as providing drink covers and serving drinks directly into the hands of the customer.

·      That Cambridge University Students’ Union has issued guidance to university event organisers to improve safety at night-time events.

·      Many campaigns note that simply increased security presence in venues is not an effective deterrent for gender-based violence, and therefore we must think critically about effective ways of challenging these issues at their root.

·      That Cambridgeshire Constabulary have recently received a large grant to improve safety in the night-time economy and have issued drink testing kits to clubs in Cambridge and Peterborough.

·      That Cambridge BID has been awarded Purple Flag status since 2019, an award for safe management of the night-time economy (NTE). Safety is a priority area for any Purple Flag accreditation, alongside maintaining the vibrancy and diversity of nightlife in the city.

·      That, in 2021, the Council ran a Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training event to increase skills, knowledge and confidence of those working in licenced premises. 15 venues attended as well as Porters’ Lodges, transport, police, city council, hotel, and security staff.

 

Council believes:

·      NTE venues across Cambridge have a duty to their patrons to create a safe environment. Spiking is entirely the fault of the perpetrator and never the victim. Therefore, it is important that all venues have appropriate procedures in place to support any victims of assault or spiking.

·      Everyone has the right to feel and be safe at night, not only in venues, but in open spaces and public transport across the city. Residents’ safety requires a joined-up approach working together for a safer Cambridge.

·      While preventative measures are required to limit the impact of drink spiking in the short-term, education is required to ensure a long-term cultural change.

 

Council will:

·      Work with key partner agencies across the city, taking proactive action towards the prevention of harassment and spiking, to make Cambridge a safe place for all at night.

·      Explore the possibility of signing up to accreditation schemes, such as Best Bar None or Good Night Out, to set a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and spiking for all council-run events, setting a standard which can be encouraged in venues across the city.

·      Continue to work with our partners in the night time economy, including but not limited to pubs, venues and club owners, Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Universities and Students’ Unions, hospitals, Cambridge BID, the police and CAMBAC, to emphasise the need for urgent action to tackle drink spiking. In particular, close partnership working with Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Universities, Students’ Unions and Sixth Forms who have direct contact with students who play a large role in the NTE.

·      Continue running WAVE training throughout the year to ensure venue staff across the city are able to identify vulnerability and safely make appropriate interventions.

·      Produce an easily accessible information resource to share with the universities and NTE venues and publicise this through the council's channels, to educate and inform people. This could include debunking common misconceptions about harassment, how to respond to harassment, speaking out if you have concerns about someone's behaviour, what to do if you believe you have been a victim of spiking, including who to go to, how to take care of yourself or a friend, and where to report the incident to.

·      Encourage all venues serving alcohol to provide free drink stop tops and covers to prevent spiking, as well as education for club bouncers and security staff about how to recognize and advise someone who may have been spiked or injected and commit to offering funding for this in the next budget cycle, following an assessment of the demand and options available.

·      Work with Cambridge BID to develop an application to retain our Purple Flag status for the following three years from 2022.

·      Bring a report to the next Environment and Communities Committee to outline the activities of other partners across the city to prevent drink spiking, and to make recommendations to the Committee which identify further steps the Council can take to facilitate and support this work.

 

References

 

Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union Safer Nights Out appeal: https://www.angliastudent.com/news/article/union/Safer-Nights-Out/

Cambridge University Students’ Union guidance for party organisers: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/BEST-Night-Out-Support-for-Event-Organisers/

Best Bar None UK: https://bbnuk.com/

Good Night Out Campaign: https://www.goodnightoutcampaign.org/info/

 

On a show of hands the amendment was carried by 21 votes to 0.

 

Resolved (unanimously):

 

Council notes:

·      That misogyny, sexism, and gender-based violence are all rooted in inequality and an abuse of power. This form of violence is mainly committed towards women and girls, and includes stalking, harassment, and sexual abuse.

·      That trans women and women of colour are also more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimisation.

·      That data on gender-based violence is often inaccurate, with reporting and conviction rates remaining shockingly low.

·      That, amid national debates last year around women’s safety, police forces recorded a record number of rape offences in England and Wales, while the ONS reported that sexual offences had increased by 8%. Drink spiking must therefore be understood within the broader context of gender-based violence which, as a council we are actively combatting while striving to support all victims of abuse and harassment.

·      People’s safety across the city, particularly at night, is of utmost importance to the council and local organisations.

·      Harassment and drink spiking can affect anybody, but statistics show that the majority of victims, as well as those most likely to feel unsafe due to the risk of drink spiking are women and those of marginalised genders.

·      It is understood that many of these crimes go unreported yet are widely witnessed across the Night Time Economy (NTE). Statistics from a StoppTops survey show that 97% of drink spiking cases are not reported.

·      That the parliamentary Home Affairs Committee opened a new enquiry into drink spiking on 12th January 2022.

·      That the worrying trend of injection spiking has received a raised profile in the media recently. Both drink spiking and injection spiking are highly dangerous, premeditated, and criminal practices which have caused increased concern for users of the night-time economy.

·      That there were 43 reports of drink spiking made to Cambridgeshire Constabulary between January and October 2021.

·      That Anglia Ruskin University Students’ Union has raised direct concerns about drink spiking in an open appeal to clubs in Cambridge to ensure there are safety measures in place to prevent drink spiking such as providing drink covers and serving drinks directly into the hands of the customer.

·      That Cambridge University Students’ Union has issued guidance to university event organisers to improve safety at night-time events.

·      Many campaigns note that simply increased security presence in venues is not an effective deterrent for gender-based violence, and therefore we must think critically about effective ways of challenging these issues at their root.

·      That Cambridgeshire Constabulary have recently received a large grant to improve safety in the night-time economy and have issued drink testing kits to clubs in Cambridge and Peterborough.

·      That Cambridge BID has been awarded Purple Flag status since 2019, an award for safe management of the night-time economy (NTE). Safety is a priority area for any Purple Flag accreditation, alongside maintaining the vibrancy and diversity of nightlife in the city.

·      That, in 2021, the Council ran a Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training event to increase skills, knowledge and confidence of those working in licenced premises. 15 venues attended as well as Porters’ Lodges, transport, police, city council, hotel, and security staff.

 

Council believes:

·      NTE venues across Cambridge have a duty to their patrons to create a safe environment. Spiking is entirely the fault of the perpetrator and never the victim. Therefore, it is important that all venues have appropriate procedures in place to support any victims of assault or spiking.

·      Everyone has the right to feel and be safe at night, not only in venues, but in open spaces and public transport across the city. Residents’ safety requires a joined-up approach working together for a safer Cambridge.

·      While preventative measures are required to limit the impact of drink spiking in the short-term, education is required to ensure a long-term cultural change.

 

Council will:

·      Work with key partner agencies across the city, taking proactive action towards the prevention of harassment and spiking, to make Cambridge a safe place for all at night.

·      Explore the possibility of signing up to accreditation schemes, such as Best Bar None or Good Night Out, to set a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and spiking for all council-run events, setting a standard which can be encouraged in venues across the city.

·      Continue to work with our partners in the night time economy, including but not limited to pubs, venues and club owners, Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Universities and Students’ Unions, hospitals, Cambridge BID, the police and CAMBAC, to emphasise the need for urgent action to tackle drink spiking. In particular, close partnership working with Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Universities, Students’ Unions and Sixth Forms who have direct contact with students who play a large role in the NTE.

·      Continue running WAVE training throughout the year to ensure venue staff across the city are able to identify vulnerability and safely make appropriate interventions.

·      Produce an easily accessible information resource to share with the universities and NTE venues and publicise this through the council's channels, to educate and inform people. This could include debunking common misconceptions about harassment, how to respond to harassment, speaking out if you have concerns about someone's behaviour, what to do if you believe you have been a victim of spiking, including who to go to, how to take care of yourself or a friend, and where to report the incident to.

·      Encourage all venues serving alcohol to provide free drink stop tops and covers to prevent spiking, as well as education for club bouncers and security staff about how to recognize and advise someone who may have been spiked or injected and commit to offering funding for this in the next budget cycle, following an assessment of the demand and options available.

·      Work with Cambridge BID to develop an application to retain our Purple Flag status for the following three years from 2022.

·      Bring a report to the next Environment and Communities Committee to outline the activities of other partners across the city to prevent drink spiking, and to make recommendations to the Committee which identify further steps the Council can take to facilitate and support this work.

 

References

 

Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union Safer Nights Out appeal: https://www.angliastudent.com/news/article/union/Safer-Nights-Out/

Cambridge University Students’ Union guidance for party organisers: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/BEST-Night-Out-Support-for-Event-Organisers/

Best Bar None UK: https://bbnuk.com/

Good Night Out Campaign: https://www.goodnightoutcampaign.org/info/