<FONT color=black size=4>PRICKLY REMINDER ABOUT DRINK SPIKING

<FONT color=black>Shepway District Council, Kent Police and Folkestone Soroptimists are continuing their campaign against drink spiking with bottle markers featuring a Spike the hedgehog.

<FONT color=black>The markers will be placed o­n unattended glasses and bottles by bar staff to remind people of the risks of not keeping an eye o­n their drinks.

<FONT color=black>Spike the hedgehog markers have been distributed to pubs and clubs across the district that have entertainment licences by local Soroptimists.

<FONT color=black>Drink spiking involves the addition of any substance, including extra alcohol, to a drink including non-alcoholic o­nes without the drinker’s knowledge or consent. Most of the time these substances are colourless and odourless.

<FONT color=black>“To avoid being the victim of this kind of practice you should look after yourself and particularly your drink,� said Sandra Francis Shepway Council Licensing Manager.

<FONT color=black>Sgt Ady Poole of Kent Police’s Crime Reduction Unit said: “The campaign is to raise awareness that drink spiking happens, but not to create unreasonable fear.�