STUDENTS are calling for a boycott of clubs and bars following a ‘worrying’ increase in drinks spiking.

The University of Oxford’s anti-sexual violence campaign group, ‘It Happens Here’, is participating in a national movement to address the problem of women being spiked on nights out.

Next Wednesday, campaigners have called on people of all genders to boycott Oxford clubs in protest of spiking – and to urge nightlife venues to do more to prevent spiking incidents from occurring.

The nationwide movement, called ‘Girls Night In’, said it hopes it will show that women ‘deserve to have fun on our nights out' and that 'it’s not fair that our club experiences are being tainted by the fear, worry, and anxiety that we’re going to be drugged’.

It Happens Here has also written an open letter to Oxford’s bars and nightclubs calling on them to take further action to tackle spiking.

The letter to which at present no bars or clubs have responded to reads: “As we’re sure you are well aware, there’s been an increase in the number and awareness of spiking instances at nightclubs and bars in Oxford and around the country – including spiking by injection, an incredibly worrying trend.

“This presents a deep and pervasive threat to people across Oxford, particularly women who are overwhelmingly the victims of spiking.

“As a campaign that represents survivors and their allies, we have a responsibility to try and help tackle this issue whenever it occurs.”

The group specifically asked what action each venue was taking to prevent spiking, whether staff receives training on spiking, the current policy to support individuals believed to be spiked, and the current policy on identifying and responding to those suspected of spiking others.

Timea Iliffe, one of the chairs of It Happens Here, said: “I think you can ask most people in Oxford, and they will know of someone spiked – it’s very not to know someone.

“The problem is that the emphasis is being put on what you can do as an individual to keep yourself safe, when the focus should be on those who directly benefit from your business, buying those drinks and then they are not doing anything when people are putting things in those drinks, leaving you on the side and not doing anything to support you.”

Fears have been heightened in recent weeks after reports across the country of young women being spiked via injections on nights out.

Tasha Lovel, the other chair of It Happens Here, added: “Staff taking spiking seriously is also really important.

“We have had lots of reports of staff kicking people out of bars and clubs because they have assumed they have been too drunk, but this isn’t normal, and they have been spiked.

“So, the staff need to be trained to see what the signs of spiking are and provide support whether that’s support with contacting the police or getting an ambulance or helping people get home."

The group is encouraging people of all genders to boycott clubs and bars on October 27.

The movement has gained significant traction on social media.