'Spiking robberies' on rise in central London - man went unconscious after 'forced to sniff white powder' on Shaftesbury Avenue and another 'drugged then robbed' in early hours of today

TOURISTS and revellers in central London need to be warned about a growing menace that sees people seemingly drugged then robbed while they are incapacitated, a former police officer has warned.

Former Met Police DCI Dave McKelvey has issued another warning about the risk of "spiking robberies" in central London after two further suspected incidents overnight, including one where a man said he went unconscious after being forced to sniff white powder.

Mr McKelvey runs the private security firm My Local Bobby, which carries out 24/7 patrols across residential and urban beats, including Leicester Square and the surrounding areas.

His bobbies are often the first on the scene to an incident or crime before overstretched Met Police officers arrive.

During the early hours of this morning, his officers on the Central London beat responded to a call regarding a man found unconscious on the pavement in Shaftesbury Avenue.

He said: "On arrival, it was immediately apparent that something was seriously wrong. The victim appeared to have been spiked, and it was also reported that he had been robbed. The London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police were contacted immediately.

"When the victim eventually regained consciousness, he told our Bobbies that three males had approached him and forced him to sniff a white powder. That was the last thing he could remember before waking up on the ground."

After about two hours no police officers attended the scene, so the Bobbies made the decision to escort the victim to Charing Cross Police Station (main image), where, after a further wait, Metropolitan Police officers took over the investigation.

As the Bobbies were leaving the police station they came across another male (below) who reported a very similar incident.

He stated that a stranger had approached him, given him drugs, and that he later realised he had been robbed.

They assisted the male in reporting the incident to the police him to the train station to travel home safely.

Mr McKelvey added: "These incidents should serve as a warning to anyone enjoying a night out in London.

"Two very similar incidents in the same area, within hours of each other, should concern everyone.

"Whether these offences are linked will be a matter for the police investigation, but there is no doubt that criminals are increasingly targeting vulnerable people enjoying a night out.

"There appears to be a worrying increase in robberies involving suspected spiking or the administration of unknown substances to incapacitate victims before they are targeted for theft. Whether through drinks, cigarettes, vapes or, as alleged in this case, a white powder, the objective is the same: to remove a person’s ability to protect themselves before stealing from them.

"Please take sensible precautions. Never accept drinks, cigarettes, vapes or substances from strangers. Stay with friends and look out for one another.

"If someone suddenly becomes confused, collapses or behaves out of character, seek medical assistance immediately and contact the police.

"If you witness suspicious behaviour, report it straight away. Early intervention can prevent further victims."

It is not the first time he was warned about the menace this year.

In May he posted on Linkedin about another incident when at approximately 4:47am (above) his officers received a call from a central London entertainment venue regarding a male who had left the venue and later returned stating he had been spiked and robbed.

The Bobbies attended immediately and located the male at the rear entrance. He was clearly disoriented, presenting as under the influence of an unknown substance.

Mr McKelvey posted: "This wasn’t just intoxication. Something wasn’t right.

"Due to immediate welfare concerns, police and LAS were contacted. A Narcan kit was prepared and kept ready in case the male showed signs of an opioid overdose, because in these situations, seconds matter.

"Police and ambulance crews attended promptly. The male remained conscious and is being conveyed to hospital for further assessment and treatment."

He said at the time: "This is not a rare incident.

"Spiking is increasingly being used as a tool for robbery and exploitation.

"Victims are targeted, incapacitated, and relieved of phones, wallets, watches, sometimes far worse."

The Met Police says it is targetting spiking incidents and phone theft, but has yet to confirm if it recognises the problem of spiking being used in robberies.

It has been contacted for comment.