A NORTH Wales MS is urging the Welsh Government to take urgent action to tackle spiking incidents.

Speaking during a Welsh Conservative debate on the issue, Sam Rowlands MS called for fellow members to support a motion to address the crisis.

The motion proposed the Senedd noted the distressing increase in spiking incidents in venues across Wales and called on the Welsh Government to work with stakeholders to take measures to tackle the problem.

These included providing bottle stoppers and drinks covers free of charge at venues; improve security, including checks on pockets, bags, jackets and coats; train staff on how to spot and deal with spiking incidents and enhance CCTV in venues to assist with evidence to secure the prosecution of those responsible.

Mr Rowlands said: “It is vital that those who have been spiked have the confidence to come forward to the relevant authorities.

"Despite a sharp increase in reports of spiking, convictions are extremely low.

"For example, so far in 2021, in my region in North Wales, there have been 22 reports of spiking, which have led to just one arrest.

"That simply isn’t good enough, and needs to be improved.

“StopTopps research conducted this year has revealed that 38 per cent of people have been a victim of drink spiking at least once, with 98 per cent of victims not reporting this crime."

Mr Rowlands added: “We do need to take action quickly, and work with stakeholders to provide those bottle stoppers and drinks covers free of charge at venues, improve security, train staff at venues as well, and also ensure that venues have sufficient means of enabling prosecution.

“I am a father of three young girls, and, that is sadly something that sits not in the back of my mind but it is in the forefront from time to time, and I personally find this spiking situation extremely worrying and it is one that is close to my heart.

“One day in the future, I'm sure it will be my daughters who'll be attending a bar or a nightclub, and I have a heavily vested interest to ensure that we create a safe environment for all people to enjoy themselves without fear and without worry.

“This is a national crisis and we as politicians have a duty to keep our nation and our people safe. Spiking is awful, it needs to be prevented, and perpetrators need to feel the full force of the law.”