FESTIVE revellers are being warned that date rape drugs like GHB and Rohypnol are being used to spike drinks in bars and clubs in Swindon.

The news comes as police launch a Christmas campaign to raise awareness of the growing problem of drug assisted rape.

Just this week, Geoff Hicks, licensing officer at Swindon police, was called by a woman who believed someone had spiked her drink in a town centre bar.

The woman was waiting for her boyfriend to take her home when she collapsed.

She believes her drink was spiked because she had only drunk six bottles of normal strength lager in four hours.

Mr Hicks said: "She was conscious, but couldn't move or speak.

"It has never happened to her before, and she was worried because she had left a drink unattended.

"I am sure these drugs are being used in Swindon because we have also had other incidents reported to us."

Although drug assisted rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in the UK, many people remain unaware of the need to be vigilant.

Sedatives like GHB, which is a liquid, and Valium, Temazepam and Rohypnol, which come in pill form and are often crushed, can be slipped into unattended drinks.

They are odourless, and tasteless, but can induce a feeling of drunkenness, nausea and drowsiness.

In some cases, the victim can even fall unconscious.

This can happen rapidly, within 30 minutes, but the effects can last for up to eight hours.

As part of the Has Your Drink Been Spiked? campaign, posters, information cards, and 'drink guards' will be handed out to licensees. The guards can be hung on the side of unattended drinks, warning people not tamper with them.

Mr Hicks added: "Licensees have a legal obligation to protect customers in their premises, so we are expecting them to support us."

Bar managers backed the campaign.

Gafyn Lloyd, bar manager at Long's Bar in Old Town, said: "It's a good idea, many people are just not aware of the problem.

"We often clear away drinks which have been unattended, and people complain when they find they have gone, but it's partly to protect them."

Mike Phipps, bar manager at Rudi's in Regent Circus, said: "We will definitely back the campaign, if it saves one person from being a victim, then it has worked."

Stephen Reid, who owns the Brunel Rooms and Soda nightclubs, declined to comment.

Tamash Lal