The government is set to introduce a new law to make doping a specific criminal offence in this week’s King’s Speech.
It is expected to be one of 35 bills included in the agenda announced Wednesday.
Doping is already a crime, covered by other laws, including the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
But the Labour manifesto, like that of the Conservatives, says that creating a new specific offence would help the police respond better to incidents.
Doping is the act of introducing a drug into a person’s drink, or into their body by some other method, without their consent.
The latest figures from the Metropolitan Police show there has been a significant increase in spike cases recorded in London in recent years, with cases in London rising 13% last year – after quadrupling in recent years.
Police received 1,383 allegations of doping in 2023 and the majority of cases occurred in public places, particularly bars and nightclubs.
But the National Police Chiefs’ Council said doping cases are under-reported and cases can be difficult to investigate because drugs move quickly through the system.
The King’s Speech is the official opening of the new Parliament, during which the monarch reads out the government’s plans for the legislature.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the programme, which is expected to focus on economic growth, would be urgent and there was “no time to lose”.
Sir Keir said the government “is determined to deliver the stability that will drive growth”.
But beyond economic measures, this is an opportunity for the new government to define its main priorities in other areas.
The programme is also expected to bring back legislation to introduce Martyn’s Law, named after Manchester bombing victim Martyn Hett.
The bill, promised by Rishi Sunak, would require entertainment venues and local authorities to have plans to deal with terrorist attacks.
Plans were introduced during the last parliament but were not passed before they closed before the election, prompting Martyn’s mother Figen Murray to say she felt “abandoned” by Mr Sunak.
