Warning over spiked drinks

Police are warning clubbers to watch their drinks

Police are warning pub and club-goers on Wearside about the dangers of spiked drinks as the Christmas party season draws closer.

Hundreds of posters and leaflets have been put in bars and nightclubs in Sunderland to raise awareness of the risks.

Women in particular are being warned by police and student union leaders to be vigilant when out drinking.

The dangers of so-called "date rape" are also being highlighted.

Claire Philipson from Wearside Women in Need warned that it was easier at this time of year for someone to put something in a drink.

"You get a lot of people going out in groups or in parties, in high spirits, drinking more alcohol than they normally would.

"Alcohol is a disinhibitor, so people become less fearful and become less aware of what is going on, and so they lose some of their ability to protect themselves."

Student campaign

Pc Mick Butler, licensing officer for Sunderland City Police, says the force has also met pub and club managers to discuss their concerns, and to warn customers of the potential risk.

There have been about 12 reports of spiked drinks in the area within the last year, none of which has resulted in an arrest.

The warning follows a Northumbria Police poster and beer mat campaign in September, aimed at students returning to the region's universities.

Students were urged to "Make Mine a Safe One".

Credit card-sized leaflets advised them how to avoid having their drink spiked in a pub, club or party, how to recognise the signs of spiked drinks and what to do if it happened to them or their friends.