POLICE have launched an investigation after three women had their drinks spiked in a North East bar in just over a month, with two needing hospital treatment on the same night.

Two women reported spiking incidents in Hoskins in Darlington in the early hours of last Saturday (March 5), whilst another woman was also the victim of spiking in the same venue in February.

It comes as hundreds of spiking incidents continue to be reported to police across the UK.

One of the victims has called for more to be done to tackle this growing trend, warning “What will it take for people to listen to girls? I mean, do we have to get raped or murdered first?”

Durham Police last night said they were investigating the incidents and had worked on a number of practical measures to make our town and city centres safer.

Ellie Robinson, 18, was on a night out with her sister, Kathryn Bellamy, 24 last Friday night (March 4). The Northern Echo spoke to them both that evening as part of a look into Darlington nightlife and they said they had never encountered trouble in the time and felt safe.

But later that night, Ellie believes she was the victim of a spiking incident in Hoskins.

The Northern Echo: The police van parked at the end of Skinnergate. Picture: SARAH CALDEOCTTThe police van parked at the end of Skinnergate. Picture: SARAH CALDEOCTT

Read more: What happened when we went out on patrol with police in Darlington on Friday night

She said: “I was on the dancefloor with my sister and then she went to the bar and this man grabbed my throat and put his arm round me and then put his drink to my throat and then I ran to the toilets and was being sick and then I don’t remember anything after that.

“Next thing I knew I was on the floor with loads of people round me I’ve been having nightmares. I don’t want to go out in town with my friends anymore.”

Ellie was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by ambulance. The incident was reported to the police and on Monday, the force told her they were reviewing CCTV footage and would be back in touch with any developments.

Emily Hammond, 18, was also out with her friends on the same Friday night when she collapsed after leaving Hoskins.

Read more: Darlington teen tells of her horror after 'spiking' incident leaves her in hospital

The teenager from Darlington was also taken to hospital following the incident where an injection site was found on the side of her leg.

She said: “This guy pulled me in close at one point, I think that’s when it happened. He grabbed me and held me and we decided to leave soon after that because he was hassling me.”

Another woman, 24, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had also been spiked in Hoskins on Friday, February 11.

She said: “My night out lasted 20 minutes. I had a couple of drinks but I wasn’t drunk. After about two minutes I started to feel awful, it was like my body and my voice just weren’t working.

“I tried to scream and nothing was coming out. I was being sick and my friends knew there was something not right, and that I wasn’t just drunk.

“It’s been a month now I feel like I’ve had to really fight just to be heard, just to be taken seriously. What will it take for people to listen to girls? I mean, do we have to get raped or murdered first?”

Read more: Darlington pub speaks out after alleged spiking incident leaves woman ill

The Northern Echo attempted to approach Hoskins for a comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Regarding Emily Hammond’s alleged spiking incident however, manager of The Hoskins, Helen Douglas told The Northern Echo earlier this week: “We are taking this as a serious incident however and we are currently trying to get another door staff member and a toilet attendant for the ladies’ toilets as well as random searches when people enter the venue to try and deter this from happening again.”

A Durham Constabulary spokesman said: “We are investigating incidents in which women are reported to have had their drink spiked at a venue in Darlington. One was reported to have happened on February 12, while two others were reported to have happened in the early hours of Saturday (March 5).

“We would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of drink spiking to seek medical attention as quickly as possible and report the incident to police.

“Drink spiking is a very serious offence and over the last year, Durham Constabulary and partners have worked on a number of practical measures to make our town and city centres safer, including enhanced training for licensed premises door staff and extra weekend patrols by officers.”  

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054