In the letter published on 11 January, Sarah Dines MP states:

'We have concluded that there are already several offences which cover incidents of spiking, and we have not found any gap in the law that a new spiking offence would fill. We have therefore concluded that a new offence is not required and will not be bringing in new legislation.'

The letter acknowledges that spiking is an abhorrent crime and that there is no excuse for it, and refers to plans to include the issues within the Section 182 Guidance (currently under consultation). 

It goes on to say that consideration has been give to the arguments put forward by the Home Affairs Committee, alongside  the existing range of criminal offences, and the Law Commission report (LAW COM No 361) (HC 555) on Reform of the Offences Against the Person Act. 

The letter sets out the range of existing offences that can be used for this type of offending behaviour, alongside the rationale for our decision not to introduce an offence.