ALMOST 200 incidents of drink spiking have been reported in Essex in recent years, an Echo investigation has revealed in the wake of a teenager being hospitalised.

Figures show a steady increase in drink spiking crimes since 2017, until the Covid pandemic closed nightclubs in bars across Essex, with most victims aged between 18 and 34.

Since 2016, 193 drink spiking reports have been to police.

Businesses have spoken of their “constant worry” of unknown substances being placed into alcoholic drinks bought from the bar.

It comes just days after 18-year-old Millie Taplin believes her drink was spiked in Moo Moos in Southend.

READ MORE:

Nicola Tiney, the manager of the Borough Hotel on Southend seafront, said: “Things like this can be difficult to prevent, but we do the best we can.

“We give advice to people not to leave drinks unattended or have them bought for you by someone you don’t know.

“If we see something strange going on, we always are on it straightaway.

“We worry about these things all the time, every weekend.”

Figures reveal that in 2017, 29 drink spiking incidents were recorded, which shot up to 48 a year later.

In 2019, 69 incidents were reported. In 2020 the figure dropped to 33 with clubs and pubs due to the pandemic.

Charity chiefs have ramped up efforts to visit sixth forms across the country to educate youngsters.

Helena Conibear, the chief executive of the nationwide charity Alcohol Education Trust, said: “The advice we give is to never leave your drink unattended, even if you go to the loo, and to not take a drink from someone, even if it’s a friend of a friend.

“What’s put in drinks is often odourless and colourless, so it’s hard to tell. We don’t want people being suspicious everywhere they turn, but it’s about being careful and aware. Stick together with trusted friends.”

Since 2016, 145 women were victims, compared to 44 men, with four uncategorised.