Council operation in Milton Keynes finds more than three-quarters of wines and beers served to customers short of allowed volumes
An operation by Milton Keynes City Council found that more than three-quarters of wines and beers served came up short of the allowed volume when measured by officials.
The operation, conducted jointly by the council and the Trading Standards and Licensing team found that 80 per cent of 18 wines and beers served were what are termed as short measures.
During the investigation, 13 premises were visited while 11 glasses of wine and seven pints of beer were measured.
Seven standard (175ml) glasses of wine out of 11 measured were short between 6.6 milliletres (ml) or 3.8 per cent and 23ml or 13 per cent.
Meanwhile all seven pints of beer tested were under measure by between 18ml or 3.2 per cent and 79.5ml or 14 per cent.
The head on a pint is legally part of the measure, although customers are entitled to ask for a top-up if they feel the head is too large.
As part of the operation, bars and nightclubs were tested on how to combat drinks spiking, and what they should do if they suspected someone had spiked a drink.
The city council reported that they found good awareness of spiking, while they also shared with premises guidance and resources on how to prevent it, details of how to recognise and support potential victims and information on how to collect evidence to assist police investigations.
Cabinet member for regulatory services at the city council Mick Legg said: “We work with licensed premises around the year to make sure they’re properly looking out for their customers, and that their staff are well trained and aware of their responsibilities.
“We’ve stepped up this work at this busy time of year as vigilant teams can help to make predators think twice. “Most incidents of spiking go unreported, and we’re urging everyone to report suspicious behaviour and look out for each other during the festive season.”
The advice in suspected cases of spiking is to get help immediately, seek medical attention if you are unwell or believe you are in danger, report the incident to police and to preserve evidence by keeping the spiked drink if possible for testing.