Police are warning the public following “several” instances where individuals are being drugged and robbed while hiring escorts across the Lower Mainland.
Surrey RCMP say they’ve become aware of people hiring an escort online, meeting at a pre-arranged location and then being drugged. When they wake up, they find their valuables have been stolen.
"These occurrences are concerning as they pose a high risk to the health and safety of the individuals being drugged with unknown substances,” says Cpl. Vanessa Munn, media relations officer with Surrey RCMP, in a statement.
Police believe there are likely additional victims who are reluctant to make a police report.
"If you have been drugged, it is highly recommended that you seek medical assistance immediately,” she says.
Those meeting up with “unknown” individuals should take precautions, according to police.
This includes:
- maintaining continuity of all food or beverages you consume to ensure that they've not been spiked
- not consuming anything provided to you by the other person
- not using drugs or alcohol that can impair your ability to keep yourself safe
The public is also being reminded to let a trusted person know of their whereabouts in case they don't check in.
Anyone who believes they had a similar thing happen to them should contact their local police.
Under Canada's Bill C-36, purchasing sexual services and communicating in any place for that purpose is illegal.
