Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “Clear messaging and education are essential, particularly as vapes are commonly shared socially.
“However, the biggest deterrent will always be ensuring perpetrators are caught and prosecuted. That remains a considerable challenge given the limited detection windows associated with some substances and the speed at which evidence can disappear from the body.
“We need to ensure people understand the importance of reporting suspected spiking as quickly as possible, while continuing to improve detection, evidence gathering and the pathway from reporting through to prosecution.”
Two prolific sex offenders were jailed last year as part of separate Met investigations after they were convicted of targeting multiple women at their flats.
Rapist Chao Xu, 34, would give guests a drink he called “the spring of life”, that he had laced with substances including GHB and scopolamine, a travel sickness medication.
He was jailed for life in November 2025 for 24 sexual offences over the course of three years including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, upskirting and voyeurism.
The second case was Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 29, who also received a life sentence, for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China.
Awareness events are taking place throughout Freshers’ Week at various universities across London.
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.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75 "New Overground line set to link up west London – as TfL seeks feedback on planned 11-mile route")
