Thousands of drink covers funded to tackle spiking

Thousands more reusable drink covers have been funded to help people protect themselves from spiking.

The latest funding brought the total number of DrinkSeals ordered for Guernsey since 2024 to 7,500.

The covers stretch over most glasses and cups, leaving a small opening for a straw, and are being made available free to the community.

In Guernsey, police received 140 reports of suspected drink spiking between 2019 and 2025, although there were no formally confirmed cases.

Chair of charity SafetyNet, Poppy Murray, said concerns about drink spiking had come from "all demographics of the community" and the covers were available to anyone who wanted one.

The Health Improvement Commission funded DrinkSeals for distribution through the Choices Contraceptive and Sexual Health Service.

The Sure Community Foundation funded a further supply, to be initially distributed at Channel Island Pride this weekend.

Murray said: "Drink spiking is something we know causes real concern, particularly for people enjoying Guernsey's night-time economy."

She said the covers helped to "make nights out safer for everyone".

The reusable covers are washable and have a lifespan of up to five years, and also help prevent accidental spills.

The States of Guernsey agreed in March 2025 to introduce a standalone offence of drink spiking, which meant prosecutors would no longer have to prove the perpetrator's intention.

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