22 October 2021
We have been made aware of several reports of spiking, including drink spiking and reports that students have received puncture wounds. This appears to be linked to venues both on and off campus.
We have informed Thames Valley Police and are offering police every assistance in finding those who are responsible. We are very clear that anyone who assaults or drugs members of our community should face the full weight of the law.
We urge anyone who has been the victim of or witness to a crime, or who has information about these incidents, to contact the police. Call 999 if you see a crime occurring or need immediate assistance. If you are on campus, call our 24-hour Security emergency line on 0118 378 6300.
Our student welfare team are providing support to those students who have come forward to report incidents. Any student who has concerns about their welfare, or the welfare of another student, should contact 0118 378 4777 or email studentwelfare@reading.ac.uk.
University bars and venues managers, and RUSU, our students' union, are working today on a range of enhanced security and welfare measures, to help keep students safe on our campuses and provide reassurance this weekend. Additional security staff will be on duty, and enhanced searches will be carried out. We will be highlighting existing longstanding welfare schemes and anti-drink-spiking measures that are available in all University and RUSU venues. We will also be considering what further measures can be put in place beyond this weekend.
Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort, and President of the Students' Union, Ben Knowles, have spoken this week about the responsibility of our institutions to keep our students safe, and the responsibility of men in particular.
Professor Van de Noort said: "I am appalled and deeply concerned about these reports.
"I have a message for anyone considering spiking anyone's drink or drugging them: think very hard about your actions, and the very serious impact it will have on other people, and on yourself. If you are found to have done this, you would face disciplinary action and risk your future at the University, and are likely to face serious criminal charges.
"For our students, please continue to look out for each other, familiarise yourself with the actions you can take, and tell staff straight away if you see anything suspicious. Together we will do all we can to keep each other safe."
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