As the summer party season gets well and truly underway police in Ayrshire are urging clubbers, pub and partygoers to keep an eye on their drinks.

In a pilot initiative arranged through Strathclyde Police and the Licensing Section of South Ayrshire Council, a number of licensees throughout North, East and South Ayrshire Council areas are being provided with 20,000 special bottle tops with a difference!

The specially created SafeFlo bottle tops are being provided for handing out at various pubs and clubs.

The SafeFlo top fits on top of any bottle, acting as a barrier and is virtually impossible to remove without breaking the bottle and promotes hygiene. It’s hoped that revellers will take to the new bottle tops and help minimise the risk of anyone slipping something into their drinks.

Councillor Douglas Campbell>, Chair of South Ayrshire Licensing Board endorsed the initiative saying: “I think it is a highly worthwhile scheme. Hopefully, it will be a safeguard against bottled drinks being tampered with if they are left briefly unattended.”

Strathclyde Police Community Safety Inspector Derek Ireland explained: “During the summer months people want to go out and enjoy the nightlife in Ayrshire and we want to help them do that safely and securely. I would urge people who are out in pubs and clubs never to leave their drinks unattended. If you’re not watching it someone else with sinister intentions could be. If the use of SafeFlo bottle tops means that just one person is spared from becoming a victim of drinks spiking then it will be a success.”

Sharon Flynn is from the Ayrshire Drugs and Alcohol Team, she backed the scheme. She said: “Ayrshire and Arran Alcohol and Drug Action Team (ADAT) were delighted to support the Licensing Boards in this safety initiative. The recent smoking ban has increased the likelihood of drinks being left unattended in bars and clubs whilst customers nip out for a cigarette, the bottle tops should help prevent drinks being spiked.

“ADAT sees this as a fantastic initiative but wishes to emphasize that the incidence of sexual assault from drink spiking is still rare and to ensure our overall safety we should be looking to drink within safe limits.”

July 2006