RAPID tests to detect whether a drink has been spiked are to be developed.
Staff in clubs and bars will also be given more training to help spot foul play.
GettyFunding for Covid-style tests will help revellers detect whether drinks have been spiked under new plans[/caption]
The moves are part of a government crackdown to cut the thousands of drink and needle spiking incidents a year reported in England and Wales.
Drink spiking tests are available but investment will be stepped up to identify the most effective.
It comes amid a law change to give a clear definition of spiking as an offence, as it is currently covered by several areas of legislation.
An online reporting tool is also planned and perpetrators will face up to ten years in jail.
Home Office Minister Laura Farris said: “Spiking is an insidious and predatory act. We are amending legislation to make the offence explicit and capture the modern day nature of the threat.”
Campaign group Stamp Out Spiking called the changes “monumental”.