Police investigating reports of women being spiked with needles while on nights out have arrested their first suspect.

A 28-year-old man from Hove was questioned by Sussex Police on suspicion of attempting to administer a substance via injection. His arrest follows a spate of reports in which women claimed they became unwell after suspecting they had been jabbed with a needle in a bar or club.

Police forces across the country have received 56 reports of suspected spiking by injection in recent weeks, as well as almost 200 drink-tampering claims.

Sussex Police, which has been investigating seven alleged needle-spiking incidents, said the suspect was questioned by detectives before being bailed. Police also arrested two other men aged 18 and 19 on suspicion of drink-tampering offences in the area.

While the spiking of drinks by men seeking to take sexual advantage has been a problem for some years, the emergence of clandestine injections to administer substances is a relatively new phenomenon.

Last week, two women came forward to Sussex Police, claiming to have been left feeling unwell following a night out in Brighton. In the following days, four more women contacted police in the city, claiming to have been spiked with needles.

‘We will do everything in our power to catch the perpetrators’

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police have received a number of recent reports of people becoming unwell during or after nights out, with some finding puncture marks on their body or believing their drink had been tampered with.

“Officers have increased patrols as part of their continued work policing the night-time economy and have been working closely with partners and licensed premises on initiatives to help keep people safe.”

Chief Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw, of Sussex Police, said: “We continue to work around the clock to investigate these troubling reports and will do everything in our power to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“Please be assured that we take all reports incredibly seriously and ask anybody who believes they may have been a victim 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. Reports can also be made to police online, via 101 or by dialling 999 in an emergency.”

Detective Sergeant Joanne Benton, of Brighton and Hove CID, said: “Our officers are following up all lines of enquiry in relation to these disturbing crimes, and our message to perpetrators is simple – this will absolutely not be tolerated, and our officers are working 24 hours a day to identify those involved and bring them to justice.

“These are fast-moving investigations and, having already brought three suspects into custody, we will continue to proactively track down anybody believed to be involved in these incidents.”