Spotting Suspicious Behaviour
Recognising Suspicious Behaviour
Behavioural Signs of Individuals Attempting to Spike Drinks
Offenders often display certain behaviours before and during a spiking attempt. Security personnel should watch for individuals who:
- Hover their hand over someone’s drink for an extended period.
- Quickly remove their hand from a drink when they notice someone watching.
- Swap drinks purposefully or secretly with another person.
- Offer their drink for a ‘taste’ but seem insistent or pushy.
- Survey their surroundings frequently, checking if they are being watched.
- Pour extra liquid into a drink when the person is distracted.
If security staff observe any of these actions, they should intervene immediately and investigate the situation.
Recognising High-Risk Individuals and Situations
Who is at Higher Risk of Being Spiked?
Certain individuals and situations increase the likelihood of drink spiking. Security officers should be particularly vigilant when:
- Someone is intoxicated – Drunk individuals are less aware of their surroundings and may not notice a spiking attempt.
- A person is separated from their friends – Individuals who are alone are easier targets.
- People accept drinks from strangers – Especially when the drink is already opened or partially consumed.
- Someone suddenly becomes overly friendly or pushy – Offenders may attempt to gain trust before spiking a drink.
Suspicious Groups or Individuals
Offenders may act alone or in groups. Be cautious of:
- Groups that appear to be preying on vulnerable individuals.
- People watching others closely without engaging in normal social activity.
- Someone who persistently offers to buy drinks for others but does not drink themselves.
By monitoring these behaviours, security officers can identify potential threats and take action before an incident occurs.
Recognising the Signs of a Spiked Drink
Visual Indicators of Drink Tampering
Security staff should look for the following signs of drink spiking:
- Discolouration – A drink that has an unusual colour.
- Cloudiness – A drink appearing thicker or murky.
- Fizzing – Unexpected bubbling in a drink that is normally still.
- Separation of liquids – Layers forming in a drink.
- Loss of carbonation – A fizzy drink going flat unusually fast.
Non-Visual Indicators
Even if a drink looks normal, there may be other clues:
- Unusual odour – A strong chemical or medicinal smell.
- Strange taste – Complaints from customers that their drink tastes odd.
Security officers should encourage customers to report any concerns about their drinks and act promptly on such reports.
What to Do If You Suspect a Spiking Attempt
If a security officer identifies someone acting suspiciously or sees signs of spiking, they should:
- Monitor the suspect discreetly to gather more evidence.
- Approach the potential victim and ask if they are okay.
- Alert other security staff to increase vigilance in the area.
- Encourage the victim to leave their drink and get a fresh one.
- If necessary, intervene and remove the suspect from the venue.
- Report the incident to management and police if required.
- Preserve evidence – Keep the drink, check CCTV footage, and gather witness statements.
Swift action can prevent further harm and lead to the identification of repeat offenders.
