SOUTHAMPTON’S police and biggest hospital are working together in a bid to squash ‘fake news’ reports of needle spiking in the city after no incidents were recorded in December. 

In a social media post on the Southampton Cops Facebook page, a spokesperson from the Force shared data surrounding drink and needle spiking in the city, raising concerns about "inaccurate information spreading on social media".

Police have received no reports of of needle spiking incidents in Southampton in December.

They have received seven reports of drink spiking during the last two weeks.

Officers have confirmed the figures with University Hospital Southampton, who have said that Southampton General Hospital did not see any patients reporting they had been spiked with a needle over the weekend.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, a spokesperson from UHS confirmed that they are working with Hampshire Constabulary and supplied information regarding recent spikings.

The information was shared in a bid to ensure "that the correct message was out there for the public to see, so as not to cause any alarm", they said.

The post from Southampton Cops reads: "We know that spiking of any kind is to make a person vulnerable to a more serious offence, like a sexual assault or robbery. This has not happened in any suspected spikings reported to us. But we know that being spiked is very scary.

"That’s why we have been working relentlessly with bars and clubs in Southampton to ensure that all venues are ‘spike aware’ and that staff are able to care for people who are reporting they have been spiked and urging those to call the police if they believe this crime has happened to them.

"Please rest assured that staff at venues are acutely aware this is a concern for people and have measures in place to reduce the risk of spiking incidents occurring.

"Common spiking symptoms are confusion, lack of coordination, slurred speech, nausea, hallucinations, vomiting, paranoia and unconsciousness.

"If you think you or a friend has been spiked, tell a member of staff straight away, seek medical attention, report it to the police. We will relentlessly pursue perpetrators of this crime, a crime that carries a 10 year prison sentence."