SLIPPING a date rape tablet into an un-suspecting person's drink is a hideous crime and the consequences are that the victim is rendered powerless to help themselves.

Fortunately there are not many such incidents in Swindon, but it is a practice that the police quite rightly have launched a high profile campaign to combat.

Charlotte Harker should be commended for being prepared to go on the record herself to highlight the dangers after she experienced the symptoms of the date rape drug GHB while she was in a Swindon pub.

She was lucky that she was not alone and there was a friend to look after her at the time she collapsed.

GHB is a liquid sedative that was made illegal and dealers can face up to five years in prison. If you spike someone's drink with the drug you can be sentenced to up to ten years in jail.

Licensees, bar staff and pub customers all need to be aware that sometimes people who appear very drunk may have become a victim of the drug.

Drinkers during the festive period need to stay with friends, ask for help from staff and should not trust a stranger to help out in case they are the person who has spiked the drink.

The warning from police is not to be afraid, to go out and celebrate this Christmas, but to keep safe by applying these common sense rules.