Predators using spice-laced vapes and antihistamines to target spiking victims

Antihistamines and vapes laced are increasingly being weaponised by predators to spike victims, the Metropolitan Police has warned.

Detectives are receiving an increasing number of reports of people targeted in domestic settings, including house parties and student accommodation, rather than bars or clubs, as they urged partygoers to be aware that the “nature of spiking is changing”.

Predators are passing victims vapes laced with THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and the drug spice, as well as using high doses of everyday medication such as antihistamines and travel sickness pills that cause drowsiness.

This reflects a move away from “date-rape” drugs such as rohypnol and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and towards substances that are easily obtained over the counter.

Police warned these new methods can be particularly difficult to detect and investigate because they are metabolised quickly, leaving a “narrow forensic window” for testing to take place.

Spiking incidents are regularly linked to thefts and robberies as well as sexual offences and target both men and women, the force said.

In the past year, more than 2,700 spiking-related offences were reported to the Met, of which just 131 led to a charge, caution or summons, although this was an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year. Police said more than half the victims were aged 18 to 35, as they urged university students to be “vigilant” this freshers’ week.

Detective Superintendent Dan Thompson, the Met’s spiking lead, said: “The nature of spiking is changing.

“We’re seeing offenders use a wider range of substances than ever before, including everyday medications and substances added to vapes, while increasingly targeting victims in private settings such as homes, parties and student accommodation.

“Many of the substances now being used leave a narrow forensic window, which is why reporting as quickly as possible is so important. Reporting within the first 12 hours allows us to secure CCTV, obtain forensic evidence, identify witnesses and make arrests.

“Nobody should hesitate to come forward. Even if some time has passed, we still want to hear from you.”

Two prolific sex offenders were jailed last year as part of separate Met investigations after they were convicted of targeting multiple women at their flats.

Rapist Chao Xu, 34, would give guests a drink he called “the spring of life”, that he had laced with substances including GHB and scopolamine, a travel sickness medication.

He was jailed for life in November 2025 for 24 sexual offences over the course of three years including rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, upskirting and voyeurism.

The second case was Chinese PhD student Zhenhao Zou, 29, who also received a life sentence for drugging and raping 10 women in London and China.

He kept a trophy box of women’s belongings and filmed nine of the attacks, with jurors in the case having to watch the disturbing footage.

Police said anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking “will be believed” and said the recent cases showed “some really tough sentences” for perpetrators.

Awareness events are taking place throughout Freshers’ Week at various universities across London.