SOS Bus Norwich here to stay after seeing a drop in spiking reports
The charity's secured funding for its future
The SOS Bus in Norwich says despite night life being back into full swing on Prince of Wales Road, it's seen a drop in the number of reports of drink spiking since the start of the year.
The charity, which offers support to partygoers on a night out who might need it, has also secured its future in the city.
It's been granted funding from Public Health, our NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and Voluntary Norfolk.
Beth Williams, their groups development manager told us why we might have seen fewer spiking cases so far this year: "Perpetrators know that we can gather their evidence now and I think that helps significantly.
"I think it reassures people that if they do have doubt they can come to us and we can do that test and send it off for them. I think that's given people reassurance that there is somewhere they can come, where there's no judgement and it's all anonymous".
She told us that despite securing their future, something's may need to be scaled back if more donations aren't made: "There is the potential of this. Voluntary Norfolk wouldn't be doing their job of safe-guarding it's bus for the future, if we weren't looking at the pound signs and thinking ahead. We are looking at how we can sustain the service beyond this year".
She also went on to say that they are continuing to look at ways of becoming more efficient:
"There may well be changes a-foot and we wouldn't do them if didn't think that was what was required for the service. I think there will need to be some changes. Ultimately though Voluntary Norfolk is really clear, it will support whatever is needed to ensure that the service is out there looking after people on Friday and Saturday night, all year round".
The SOS Bus can often be found parked at the bottom of Prince of Wales Road during busy nights in the city centre, offering support and help to those who may have had a few too many and need assistance.