Claims of drink spiking rock Queenslander Hotel at Gympie

A busy Qld hotel has ramped up security and police are urging victims to come forward amid growing claims of drink spiking at the venue, which has reportedly left multiple people needing medical help.

Police are urging women who suspect they are victims of drink spiking to come forward amid allegations someone is targeting them at a popular Gympie hotel, forcing the pub to ramp up its security measures.

Police are urging women who suspect they have had their drinks spiked at the Queenslander Hotel (formerly Billy’s) in the main street of Gympie to come forward.

A hotel spokesperson said they had ramped up their security measures since concerns about possible drink spiking had been made in the past two weeks or more.

Drink spiking means to put alcohol or drugs into someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission. Many drugs and alcohol used to spike drinks are tasteless.

Almost a dozen women are reported to have needed medical treatment after allegedly drinking spiked drinks in the past fornight.

A social media post made on Sunday, December 8, claimed six women had their drinks spiked on Saturday, December 7, with “some worse than others”.

The post claimed all six wound up in hospital.

A source who contacted The Gympie Times at the weekend said at least one more women was reportedly targeted at the pub on Friday, December 13, and it had in fact been nine women affected the weekend prior.

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A social media post made on Sunday, December 8 claimed six women had their drinks spiked at The Queenslander the night before, Saturday, December 7, with “some worse than others”.

They said one woman was taken “legless” to an ambulance outside the hotel that Friday.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed two ambulances were dispatched to the hotel in the centre of Gympie for medical incidents that night, but was unable to confirm whether those incidents were related to drink spiking.

Police said in a statement Monday they were aware of the alleged incidents but no complaints had been made to authorities.

They urged anyone who suspected they were a victim to come forward.

“Anyone who believes they have been spiked is encouraged to report the matter to police as soon as possible as this ensures police can obtain all relevant evidence in a timely manner,” police said.

The Queenslander Hotel in Gympie has introduced free drink spiking prevention stickers, which can be placed across glasses to help prevent people from being targeted, a spokeswoman said.

“The service is not aware of an increase in drink spiking incidents, however crime trends and service delivery requirements are regularly reviewed to ensure community safety is maintained.

“The QPS continues to work with partner agencies to share intelligence and improvements in these arrangements are continually evolving to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.”

A Queenslander Hotel spokeswoman said patron safety at the pub was its “highest priority”.

She said as a result of the reports “we have placed additional security on the weekends, extra floor staff and extra security cameras”.

“We have also engaged in an educative campaign for patrons to keep their drinks in view at all times,” she said.

The hotel had also introduced free drink spiking prevention stickers, which can be placed across glasses to help prevent people from being targeted, she said.

These were available at the bar for all patrons.

“Should anyone have any concerns, they should contact the venue or law enforcement regarding any suspicious activity,” she said.