POLICE are hunting a serial drink spiker after 12 young victims fell ill in eight weeks.

       Horrified parents reported their children had been mysteriously struck down on nights out in Colchester, Essex.

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       Cops in Essex are hunting a serial drink spiker Credit: Alamy

       Young pubbers and clubbers were rushed to hospital after becoming violently ill or collapsing for no apparent reason while out with pals.

       One mum said it was like her teenager daughter was "paralysed" when she rushed her to hospital after she was spiked.

       An Essex Police chief revealed his officers are on the hunt for the culprit behind more than a dozen drink spiking incidents in the town.

       But Chief Inspector Rob Huddlestone admitted his team faced a massive challenge tracking them down.

       'RANDOM'

       He said: “It does appear that someone randomly went around spiking people’s drinks.

       “It’s all about trawling through the hours of CCTV and looking at all the people that were round that group and narrowing it down.

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       “I’ll admit it’s really difficult - it’s hundreds of hours of work looking at dark, grainy CCTV at night where lots of people look very similar.

       “If we do find somebody, we will prosecute.”

       Cops hope CCTV footage may provide the clue to the person behind the sickening incidents.

       Emma Benjamin’s daughter Shania, 18, had her drink spiked before she collapsed on a night out.

       Emma, 39, said: "I took Shania to the hospital myself and by the time we got there she was slowly coming back around, but it was like she was paralysed.

       By the time we got there she was slowly coming back around, but it was like she was paralysed

       Emma Benjamin, mum of teenage girl who was spiked

       “By the time she was actually seen she had passed out a few more times and then the doctors just put it down to her being too drunk.

       “But I did not agree with that because her friends said they watched her change in seconds and they have never seen anything like it.”

       Emma was contacted by police officers the following day who she says told her two other girls had been hospitalised with similar symptoms.

       The worried mum mum has now urged parents to help their children stay safe when they go out drinking.

       MUM'S HORROR

       She said: “The officers were the ones who said to me it looked like Shania was spiked, so something needs to be done to protect these girls.

       "I never ever want to see anyone go through what Shania did and my heart goes out to the other girls too and their parents.

       “Anyone who suspects a spiking need to report it to police even if you are not 100 per cent sure. If more people come forward, there’s more chance of investigating it.”

       Stunned Shania has not been out since her spiking ordeal earlier in the month.

       It does appear that someone randomly went around spiking people’s drinks

       Chief Inspector Rob Huddlestone

       Emma added: “It has had an effect on Shania. She says she doesn’t want to go out or drink, it is affecting her life. I just want her to be more mindful.

       “Girls, boys and men, everyone needs to stay on your guard. If you are going out, always have someone with you or watch your drink."

       Council officials have been visiting venues that have reported incidents to discuss making changes to improve safety.

       Mr Huddlestone added: “People will see a lot more posters up about drink spiking and I think some places are thinking about buying lids for glasses.

       “This is not about blaming the nightclubs because what are the odds of identifying an individual doing this while they’re doing it?

       “But they are doing their best to do this - a number of venues have started searching people before they come in."

       Anyone with information about any incidents has been asked to contact Essex Police on 101.

       Mum shares terrifying video of daughter, 18, 'possessed' with Exorcist-like seizures after 'drink spiked at club'

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