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  "path": "/2026/05/20/gangs-targeting-londoners-nights-drugging-robbing-28432341/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-20T05:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "UK",
    "Drugs",
    "Gang",
    "London",
    "Metropolitan Police",
    "All the roads closed in London during Tommy Robinson and counter protests",
    "Plans for London's 'very own Trump Tower' in aptly named Trumpers Way",
    "My honest review of London's new afternoon tea - a delicious secret",
    "London news hub",
    "phones",
    "crime",
    "devil’s breath was leaving victims ‘zombified’ and at the mercy of criminals",
    "was allegedly used on a woman in an empty Tube carriage in London",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Paramedics treat an alleged spiking victim in Central London (Picture: My Local Bobby)\n\nRolex ripper gangs are drugging revellers on nights out to steal their luxury watches in a new disturbing crimewave to hit London.\n\nOrganised gangs are giving victims drugs often used for sexual offending like rohypnol and GHB to spike victims and make them incapacitated.\n\nThis happens to unsuspecting victims but also in cases where people believe they are buying cocaine and instead are knocked out and robbed.\n\nThey then steal the watches, often valued at over £10,000 and other valuable items, in a new spree of offending which has increased in the last few months which has focused on the capital.\n\nLondon has been rocked by the rise of moped riders snatching the watches from unaware people walking in the street.\n\nThe Metropolitan Police have launched major operations to crackdown on the problem but are now being faced with a dangerous wave of victims being spiked for their watches.\n\nEx- DC David McKelvey says the new crime method is a ‘growing threat’ and fears it will spread away from London and into other areas (Picture: Sky UK Ltd)\n\nA warning has been issued by former DCI Dave McKelvey, who now runs a company called My Local Bobby, which provides private security to neighbourhoods.\n\nHe said: ‘We’re seeing a very disturbing pattern where spiking is being used as a method of robbery.\n\n‘This is a relatively new crimewave which needs to be stopped. It’s very dangerous.\n\n‘Offenders are spiking victims and stealing their high value Rolex watches and other items.\n\n‘We have seen this in central London on numerous occasions but I am sure it will spread to other locations across the country.\n\n‘This is a growing threat.\n\n##  Latest London news\n\n  * All the roads closed in London during Tommy Robinson and counter protests\n  * Plans for London's 'very own Trump Tower' in aptly named Trumpers Way\n  * My honest review of London's new afternoon tea - a delicious secret\n\n\n\n_**To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro's** London news hub._\n\n‘Victims are specifically targeted, incapacitated and then have their watches, phones and wallets stolen.\n\n‘People need to be aware of this.’\n\n##  Effects of rohypnol and GHB\n\n**Rohypnol is a Class C drug in the UK and depresses the nervous system.**\n\n**Effects include:**\n\nSevere sedation\n\nMemory loss\n\nMotor impairment\n\nConfusion\n\nAggression\n\nLoss of muscle control\n\nLoss of impulse control\n\n**GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is a Class B drug in the UK that also suppresses the nervous system.**\n\n**Effects include:**\n\nHigh risk of overdosing\n\nSeizures\n\nSevere aggression and psychosis\n\nLowered inhibitions\n\nOrgan damage\n\nMr McKelvey said revellers needed to be “on alert” on nights out.\n\nHe said: ‘This is a really serious problem.\n\n‘We have also seen cases where people think they are buying cocaine and are paying for the drug but actually they’re being given something else.\n\n‘The so-called dealer then waits for them to feel the impact of the drug they have spiked them with and then steal their items.\n\n‘It’s very dangerous. People, more than ever, need to be very aware of their surroundings.’\n\nThe Met said it was working to crackdown on spiking incidents.\n\nA Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Spiking is an invasive and distressing crime that is often difficult to investigate due to the limited window to secure evidence.\n\n‘The Met has invested significantly in tackling spiking, leading on new detection technology, and working with partners to strengthen prevention in nightlife settings.\n\n‘From January to December 2025, positive outcomes, including charges, increased by 132% compared to the previous year.\n\n‘We are also cracking down on mobile phone theft, with offences down by 13,000 and overall theft in London falling by 21%, supported by data-led policing and the use of innovative technology to target hotspots and quickly arrest offenders.’\n\nLast year, Metro reported on how a drug called devil’s breath was leaving victims ‘zombified’ and at the mercy of criminals.\n\nDubbed the world’s scariest drug, the substance – also known as scopolamine – was allegedly used on a woman in an empty Tube carriage in London.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "How gangs are targeting Londoners on nights out by drugging and robbing them"
}