FOI 14492

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  HRC0014492/26

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 16^th June 2026.  Please find below the response to your request:

Would you be able to provide the gender breakdown for victims and suspects for the years 2017-2025?

Previous FOI

1. For each calendar year between 2017 – 2025 please provide the total number of offences recorded under HOCR codes 088/05 / 008/02
2. Please break this down by the following:

• Suspects and victims by gender
• The victim ages under the following age groups: under 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-50, over 50   
• A breakdown of the type of method of spiking using a keyword search of the Modus Operandi with key terms “drink”, “needle” “food”
• A breakdown of the venue where the spiking occurred
• A breakdown of the local authority where the spiking occurred

3. The outcome of the recorded offences under HOCR 088/05 / 008/02 between 2017 – 2025.

Reply

West Mercia Police hold the below information

Caveat:  To ensure the Force remains compliant with GDPR and MoPI regulations, certain MoPI 3 level data is automatically deleted from Force systems after a period of 6 years.  As a result the data within this FOI will only date back 6 years to reduce confusion and the misinterpretation of data as records prior to 6 years will potentially not be complete or accurate.

When a spiking offence is reported, the victim may wish to remain anonymous or the offence may be reported by a witness without knowing the victim details; in addition despite investigation, a suspect may never be identified.  As such, the number of offences, suspect and victims would not be expected to match.