The Home Office has issued updated Statutory Guidance guidance under s.182 of the Licensing Act 2003 to include a definition of "spiking".

The updated guidance, published on 18 December 2023, now includes " information about spiking".

Under paragraph 2.7, it now states:

"The objective to crime under the Licensing Act 2003 would include taking measures to prevent incidents of spiking which would usually be prosecuted under section 23 and 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and section 61 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The following examples are within the range of behaviours that would be considered spiking. This list is not exhaustive:

• Putting alcohol into someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission
• Putting prescription or illegal drugs into an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink without
  their knowledge or permission
• Injecting another person with prescription or illegal drugs without their knowledge or
  permission
• Putting prescription or illegal drugs into another person's food without their
  knowledge or permission
• Putting prescription or illegal drugs into another person's cigarette or vape without
  their knowledge or permission"