Taking The Piss Out Of Punters Is No Joke

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday June 27, 2005

Bonnie Malkin Urban Affairs Reporter

It certainly is a novel way to fight crime. In an attempt to deter men from spiking drinks, Manly Council has installed motion-activated speakers in pub urinals.

When activated, the devices, which were installed in men's toilets in the Steyne Hotel, the Boatshed and the Ivanhoe Hotel last week, start laughing and then deliver this message: "Spiked drinks. It's beyond a joke. It's a crime. Report it."

The speakers, which also act as deodorisers and have flashing lights, are part of a campaign run by Manly Council, the Manly Drug Education and Counselling Centre and the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women to raise awareness of drink-spiking on the northern beaches.

Manly Council's community safety co-ordinator, Leanne Martin, said the council wanted an innovative way to get the message across. "Drink spiking is often committed in licensed venues and men are most often the perpetrator, and sometimes the victim. What better place to raise their attention to the issue than when they're at the urinal?"

Manly Council's general manager, Henry Wong, said the devices had been well received by pub operators and patrons and hopefully they would make people think twice about spiking someone's drink for a laugh.

"It's a reinforcement strategy to ensure people are aware that we are working on preventing drink spiking and are serious about the issue," Mr Wong said.

Manly did not have a high incidence of drink spiking, but it was important to let people know it was unacceptable, he said.

The North Sydney region Violence Against Women spokeswoman, Jennifer Huxley, said anyone who had had their drink spiked should contact the police.

"Spiking drinks is similar to sexual assault. We want to encourage the reporting of that crime to the police and we want to stop potential perpetrators.

"We want them to know it's a crime and the police are being vigilant."

Councils across Sydney are considering using the devices.

Warringah Council spokeswoman, Sally Williams, said the council would wait to see the results of the campaign in Manly.

Waverley Mayor Peter Moscatt said the idea was a bit "Big Brotherish" but welcomed anything that would warn people off spiking drinks.