Skip to main content
Ministers must make drink and needle spiking attacks a specific criminal offence, union demands
Two women drink wine

TORY ministers must make “horrendous” drink and needle spiking attacks a specific criminal offence, members of retail union Usdaw demanded today.

Cambridgeshire delegate Simon Eggleton told the union’s annual conference that the problem, which disproportionally affects young women, is very much a trade union issue as it affects the future of the labour movement.

The debate on the emergency motion came after the Commons home affairs select committee warned last week that the true prevalence of drink and needle spiking, which it described as a “heinous crime,” is unknown because of inadequate data collection.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Rail staff at Waverley station, Edinburgh
STUC Women’s Conference 2025 / 30 October 2025
30 October 2025

EDDIE DEMPSEY explains why the RMT is calling for urgent action against assaults on staff and passengers on our public transport system

FiLiA activists on an anti-cuts demo
TUC Congress 2025 / 8 September 2025
8 September 2025

Women are a vital part of the labour movement and have much to contribute, but there’s far more to be done to make sure that our sisters’ voices are truly heard, says PHILIPA HARVEY

Joanne Thomas campaigning for safe shopwork
Durham Miners’ Gala 2025 / 12 July 2025
12 July 2025

Incoming Usdaw general secretary JOANNE THOMAS talks to Ben Chacko about workers’ rights, Labour and how to arrest the decline of the high street