After detailing how he planned to “make Belfast’s night time economy a safer place”, with these plans, including both the distribution of spiking test kits and training for local staff on administering them, the South Belfast representative’s scheme has secured cross-party support at the licensing committee.

Micky said: “With the further expansion of the city’s night-time economy, Belfast City Council have a responsibility to ensure that our city is a safe place for people to visit and enjoy themselves in

“With the introduction of this scheme in licensed premises throughout the city we have the crucial opportunity to help reduce spiking incidents and work towards reducing incidents of ASB and sexual assaults, which remain unfortunate scourges on the city’s nightlife industry, as well as get early medical interventions to victims of spiking related incidents.

“With this scheme, we aim to not only deter those who are planning on spiking someone, but also provide information to potential victims, and others, on how to get the testing kits and where to access resources and support should they think that they or their friends have been spiked.

“This is an initiative that’s been led by Queen’s Students Union, who are providing drink testing kits in their Student Union bars now that they have reopened for the new term.”