Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
THE Olive Press teams up with a leading hospitality group on the Costa del Sol to highlight the increasing dangers of spiking.
In conjunction with Sala Group Holdings, we are relaunching the Smash the Spiking Campaign to protect and warn revellers as the festive season approaches.
In addition to encouraging other nightclubs and entertainment organizations to take a stance, we hope that local politicians and law-enforcement agencies will also support this.
Aiming to unite them under one umbrella, our message is simple: ‘Eagle eyes for all!’
Our appeal comes after hearing a string of stories of victims – both men and women – being attacked around Marbella, Fuengirola and Malaga, this summer.
We have not been able to obtain clear and up-to date statistics from the authorities but we have received a variety of reports from our readers and other holidaymakers.
This crime is particularly alarming because it occurs in Puerto Banus on the front line, in nightclubs in Malaga, and in five-star Marbella hotels.
In addition to injecting drugs directly into people’s beverages, they are also sometimes pricked with a needle.
This is happening far too frequently, whether it’s victims having their watches snatched from them in a taxi line, golfers falling off a Banus bar, or girls getting sexually abused on the beach.
One of our journalists was even convinced that his drink had been spiked during a night on the town in Ronda. A female intern, meanwhile, was assaulted previously in the UK.
Ian Radford, the boss of Sala Group, said: “I’ve known 20 people who have been victims along the coast in the last five year.” “Most of the time, it’s robbery and not sexual. This happens far too frequently.
“It’s time for a change.” We have to take action and, as business owners, be accountable.
The 56 year old owner of La Sala Restaurant and the nearby Beach Club has promised to combat crime by training staff and making CCTVs available to anyone that believes they were spiked.
Staff will be trained to understand the ‘Ask Angela’ system that is big in the UK, as well as helping potential victims leave the venue safely, often by calling a taxi.
“We will do everything we can to defeat this problem,” says the father of three who has been living in Marbella for almost 30 years. We will keep an eye out. We will be watching.
The local media, as well as the authorities, should be involved in raising awareness.
You have been a victim. Do you have something to say? Contact us at newsdesk@theolivepress.es
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