Dubai The British Embassy in the UAE has warned its citizens about an increase in drink spiking in Dubai.
Travel advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for British citizens was recently amended to include the new information.
"Drink spiking, known to be used in date rape, can also happen," it reads.
"Consular staff have noted an increase of drink spiking in night clubs in Dubai, resulting in sexual assaults on both men and women," the amended travel advice warns.
Each year, British Embassy consular staff in the UAE help British nationals who are the victims of serious sexual offences, the advice states.
However, "personal attacks, including sexual assaults and rape are rare but do happen".
The advice goes on to recommend that female visitors should take care when walking or travelling alone and should use a reputable taxi company, particularly at night.
Stay with friends
Citizens should not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended — including non-alcoholic drinks, the advice states.
"When in pubs and clubs, stay with your friends and avoid getting separated in the crowd," the advice reads. "Do not leave with a stranger."
There are more than 100,000 British nationals resident in the UAE, and more than one million travelled to the UAE in 2009.
