POLICE in Sussex are investigating seven separate incidents of women being spiked with needles in the last week.

Sussex Police initially received two reports from women feeling unwell after nights out in Brighton on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

In the following days, four women reported being injected while out in Brighton city centre.

A woman also reported being injected on a night out in Eastbourne on Saturday.

Detectives are supporting the women involved and carrying out thorough investigations into each incident.

Sussex Police have confirmed that all viable lines of enquiry are being explored.

Officers are increasing their late-night patrols and are working closely with partners and licensed premises on initiatives to help keep people safe.

The Gazette previously reported that Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones urged victims of spiking to report their experiences to police, amid national calls for an inquiry into a recent spiking epidemic.

Discussing the issue on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (October 21), PCC Donna Jones said: “I think it's very very difficult [to stop], even if you have got enhanced searches.

“If somebody has that criminal intent in their mind, to go out and drug somebody, whether it be something in their drink, or by injecting them in sonme easy, it’s almost impossible.

“You could conceal that in your shoe, in your sock, in your underwear perhaps. So I really think that this is a much wider societal issue, that we have people who will go out and prey on vulnerable people, students who have moved to a new city, to try and drug them and assault them in some way.”

Chief Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw, divisional commander for Brighton and Hove, said: "Everybody has the right to enjoy a night out in safety and we fully understand the concerns around these troubling reports, not only in Sussex but across the country.

“We have recently increased the number of officers making targeted, visible patrols around licensed premises such as restaurants, bars and clubs during the week as well as over the weekend.

“Our licensing teams also work with venues to raise awareness around spiking and regularly hold briefings with security staff prior to opening to make sure measures are in place to keep customers safe.

“Unannounced licensing checks throughout the night provide an additional level of support and if you see our officers out and about, please do speak to them – or licensed security staff - about any concerns or suspicious behaviour.

“Please be assured that we take all reports incredibly seriously and ask anybody who believes they may have been a victim of spiking to let police or bar staff know as soon as possible so they can be tested before potential drugs leave their system and evidence can be gathered.”