Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Thursday, 1 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 July 1999. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Thursday, 8 July 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of crimes involving Rohypnol in the last year; and what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to raise public awareness on this issue. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of crimes involving Rohypnol in the last year; and what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to raise public awareness on this issue. [89941] Mr. George Howarth: We understand that in 1998, the Forensic Science Service screened 139 samples in rape cases for flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with no positive results. Up until 20 May this year, 45 samples had been screened in rape cases also with no positive results. The Home Office has recently given a police research award to two Metropolitan police officers for a research project which aims to establish the extent of drug assisted sexual offences in the United Kingdom. They are expected to report in April 2000. We will await the results of the study before making a decision on whether and how to further raise public awareness on the issue or take any further action.

Secondary information