A COMMUNITY safety group has vowed to take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone caught spiking bar-goers by banning them from town centre venues. 

Colchester Pub Watch is an independent initiative comprised of people working in licensed premises throughout the area.

One of the group’s roles is to promote safe drinking environments within the establishments they look after and combat criminality.

The Watch has now turned its attention to cracking down on incidents of spiking in Colchester.

Paul DeAnglis, vice chairman, said: “Following the recent reports of drink-spiking within bars and nightclubs, the Colchester Pub Watch group want to reassure everyone we are, as ever, giving this topic the very highest of attention.

“As well as confirming all of our members have an updated Drinks Spiking Policy, we have also voted unanimously to distribute full maximum bans from our venues for anyone caught spiking drinks using our DISC banning scheme.

“In the event of a custodial sentence being awarded we will commence the ban upon the person’s release.”