Londoners have been warned against accepting vapes from strangers, ahead of this weekend’s Halloween festivities.
Speaking to City News, Colin Mackie, Chair and Founder of Spike Aware UK, said that people should never share vapes. He warned they may be laced with harmful drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, such as Spice. He also warned those using refillable vapes not to trust anyone offering liquid.
There has been a rise in reported vape spiking incidents nationwide. Last year, several children, some as young as 14, were hospitalised in South London due to suspected vape spiking. Elsewhere, there have been reports of children going into cardiac arrest, after using spiked vapes.
How are the Met responding?
The Metropolitan Police says it is “intensifying its efforts” to combat vape spiking incidents in London. Operations will target the capital’s bars, clubs, and party boats. Police are making use of new vape-testing equipment to tackle the problem.
The technology includes mobile testing machines, which can rapidly identify whether a vape has been laced with harmful drugs. It has already been trialed in nightclubs, and at festivals and schools across London.
In September, the Met’s Marine Support Unit launched Operation Albenga to coincide with students’ Freshers’ Week. The operation targets party boats on the River Thames. Among its aims is preventing spiking incidents. The operation is part of the Met’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) V100 action plan.
Alongside mobile vape-testing, the Met is also trialing new infrared ‘point and shoot’ technology, supported by a smartphone app, which tests powders and tablets to identify up to 350 drug types.
A near infra-red detector (right) and a new vape spiking detector (left) at a briefing by the Metropolitan Police on a new spiking crackdown to coincide with freshers week. Picture date: Thursday September 25, 2025. CREDIT: JONATHAN BRADY/PA WIRE
What is Spice?
Spice is a highly addictive, Class B substance, often called the “zombie drug” because it can leave users semi-conscious.
Vapes containing Spice are often attractively designed and frequently marketed as containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. While THC vapes are common and legal in parts of the U.S., they are illegal in the UK, making them expensive and difficult to import. Spice, however, is cheap and readily available, leading many to unwittingly consume the drug.
A study from the University of Bath revealed that one in six confiscated vapes in schools contained Spice, compared to just one in 100 containing THC. The drug was found in nearly three-quarters of confiscated vapes at the schools studied.
Professor Chris Pudney from the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath testing vapes. Issue date: Friday September 5, 2025. CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF BATH/PA WIRE
Is Spiking on the Rise?
Spiking involves secretly adding a substance to someone’s drink, food, vape, or body without their consent. It is a deliberate and invasive act. This includes sharing and selling a contaminated vape.
Between March 2024 and March 2025, the Met said they received over 2,000 reports of spiking, though added that the true number may be higher as many victims do not come forward. They also highlight that the crime most affects women and girls. The force states that their operations have been a success, with VAWG offence charges having tripled over the past three years.
Spike Aware UK said it is important that victims report vape spiking. Mr Mackie said: “The only way the police are going to actually gain traction on it, and for us to get a real look at the figures, is for people to come forward.”
How has the Met’s action been received?
The response to the Met’s action has been positive. Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), told City News:
“We welcome the Metropolitan Police Service’s intensified efforts to tackle spiking across London. The introduction of innovative technologies, such as vape spiking detection kits and rapid drug testing equipment, is a significant step forward in protecting patrons across the capital.”
Mr Mackie said:
“It’s certainly good news that they [the Met] are pushing back, and it should only be a matter of time before they start bringing prosecutions.”
If you suspect you have been a victim of vape spiking, you can:
Headline‘Don’t accept a vape’ – Founder of Spike Aware UK
Short HeadlineCharity warns Londoners about vape spiking
StandfirstCharities and the Met Police say vape spiking has become a serious problem
Londoners have been warned against accepting vapes from strangers, ahead of this weekend’s Halloween festivities.
Speaking to City News, Colin Mackie, Chair and Founder of Spike Aware UK, said that people should never share vapes. He warned they may be laced with harmful drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, such as Spice. He also warned those using refillable vapes not to trust anyone offering liquid.
There has been a rise in reported vape spiking incidents nationwide. Last year, several children, some as young as 14, were hospitalised in South London due to suspected vape spiking. Elsewhere, there have been reports of children going into cardiac arrest, after using spiked vapes.
How are the Met responding?
The Metropolitan Police says it is “intensifying its efforts” to combat vape spiking incidents in London. Operations will target the capital’s bars, clubs, and party boats. Police are making use of new vape-testing equipment to tackle the problem.
The technology includes mobile testing machines, which can rapidly identify whether a vape has been laced with harmful drugs. It has already been trialed in nightclubs, and at festivals and schools across London.
In September, the Met’s Marine Support Unit launched Operation Albenga to coincide with students’ Freshers’ Week. The operation targets party boats on the River Thames. Among its aims is preventing spiking incidents. The operation is part of the Met’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) V100 action plan.
Alongside mobile vape-testing, the Met is also trialing new infrared ‘point and shoot’ technology, supported by a smartphone app, which tests powders and tablets to identify up to 350 drug types.
A near infra-red detector (right) and a new vape spiking detector (left) at a briefing by the Metropolitan Police on a new spiking crackdown to coincide with freshers week. Picture date: Thursday September 25, 2025. CREDIT: JONATHAN BRADY/PA WIRE
What is Spice?
Spice is a highly addictive, Class B substance, often called the “zombie drug” because it can leave users semi-conscious.
Vapes containing Spice are often attractively designed and frequently marketed as containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. While THC vapes are common and legal in parts of the U.S., they are illegal in the UK, making them expensive and difficult to import. Spice, however, is cheap and readily available, leading many to unwittingly consume the drug.
A study from the University of Bath revealed that one in six confiscated vapes in schools contained Spice, compared to just one in 100 containing THC. The drug was found in nearly three-quarters of confiscated vapes at the schools studied.
Professor Chris Pudney from the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath testing vapes. Issue date: Friday September 5, 2025. CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF BATH/PA WIRE
Is Spiking on the Rise?
Spiking involves secretly adding a substance to someone’s drink, food, vape, or body without their consent. It is a deliberate and invasive act. This includes sharing and selling a contaminated vape.
Between March 2024 and March 2025, the Met said they received over 2,000 reports of spiking, though added that the true number may be higher as many victims do not come forward. They also highlight that the crime most affects women and girls. The force states that their operations have been a success, with VAWG offence charges having tripled over the past three years.
Spike Aware UK said it is important that victims report vape spiking. Mr Mackie said: “The only way the police are going to actually gain traction on it, and for us to get a real look at the figures, is for people to come forward.”
How has the Met’s action been received?
The response to the Met’s action has been positive. Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), told City News:
“We welcome the Metropolitan Police Service’s intensified efforts to tackle spiking across London. The introduction of innovative technologies, such as vape spiking detection kits and rapid drug testing equipment, is a significant step forward in protecting patrons across the capital.”
Mr Mackie said:
“It’s certainly good news that they [the Met] are pushing back, and it should only be a matter of time before they start bringing prosecutions.”
If you suspect you have been a victim of vape spiking, you can:
