Campaspe Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Barry Gray said police had been investigating reports of drug spiking using needles over November and December last year.

"We have spoken to a number of people who have reported that they have attended a number of licensed premises in Echuca and have fallen ill for no obvious reason," he said.

"They haven't been drinking excessively or eaten anything that might of led them to fall ill.

"Some of these women have realised what appears to be a needle park on their skin."

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Detective Sergeant Gray said they were now investigating every possibility that multiple people had been injected with an unknown substances.

"It appears to be needle spiking but we haven't ruled anything out," he said.

"There are suggestions that the women are being injected with something but we don't know what exactly it is at this point."

Detective Sergeant Gray said he had never seen anything like this in his long career.

"Enough has been said for the police to be involved and be concerned," he said.

"I have never seen any cases of needle spiking in my career or investigated it.

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"It's certainly something that you hear about through social media. Drink spiking has certainly been an issue in the past and continues to be in some areas but the use of needles is something we haven't seen before.

"We are focused on what is happening in Echuca at the moment, at this stage there is nothing to suggest that it's linked with any other cases outside of Echuca."

A Bendigo Police spokesperson said they were aware of the current trend and of some isolated incidents elsewhere.

They said there have not been any reports of that type of incident in Bendigo.

Similar cases of needle spiking have also been investigated in Newcastle.

A NSW Police spokesperson said investigations were continuing in relation to reported incidents at licensed premises in Newcastle on December 3 to 4.

"Early toxicology results indicate no illegal or prescription drugs were found, however further testing is underway," they said.

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Internationally, The Guardian said more than 1300 reports of needle spiking have been made to UK police forces in less than six months.

Last March, Bendigo Police revealed they were investigating up to 10 reports of possible drink-spiking in Bendigo.

In response, Bendigo police increased their patrols at licensed venues.

Echuca Police are appealing for more information about suspected needle spiking incidents.

If you have any information you can call Echuca Police on 5483 1500, Newcastle Police on 4929 0999 or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

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