Stop it! (From Free Press Series)

Stop it!

TORFAEN revellers are being kitted out with a special gadget to combat drink spiking, as the New Year party season gets into full swing.

Twenty-eight thousand Spika Stoppers will be given to licensees to guard their customers from getting spiked.

The Spika Stoppers are brightly coloured plastic gadgets, which cannot be removed once they have been inserted in a bottle and can only be used once.

Each Stoppa has a small opening just big enough to insert a straw, but too small for anything else to get through.

Although reports of drink spiking in the borough are rare, the problem is an increasing headache for police around the country and a worry for partygoers.

Landlady of the George Hotel in Pontypool Kathleen Brackstone took delivery of their Spika Stoppers in time for the Christmas parties.

She said: "I don't know if they are a good idea or not at the moment, we should be able to really see their benefits in January."

"We have put our supply on the bar so that our customers can help themselves if they want to take one. We haven't heard of any incidents of drink-spiking for at least six months so maybe the problem isn't as big as it used to be."

Police hope that making spika stoppers available to people may give peace of mind to drinkers.

Inspector Dave Moses of the Community Safety Unit for Torfaen and Monmouthshire (B Division) said: "Even though we are unaware of any incidents of drink spiking in the region, we, as well as members of the public cannot be complacent of the potential dangers. By working together with the Community Safety Partnerships of both Torfaen and Monmouth-shire, we are able to encourage people to be vigilant and to prevent any incidences of drink-spiking."

Money from the Welsh Assembly has been used to back this campaign against problematic alcohol use and the distribution of Spika Stoppers will last for the next five weeks.

Some additional advice to keep drinkers safe over the festive season has been issued. Inspector Moses' gave his advice to ensure your drink is safe: Don't leave drinks unattended Don't accept drinks from strangers Avoid unfamiliar pubs and clubs Don't make yourself a target by drinking to excess Always stay with a group of close friends.