Festive revellers have been warned to guard their drinks in pubs and clubs following a rise in 'date rape' cases on Teesside. The Women's Support Network, which operates in Middlesbrough and East Cleveland, says more women than ever before are calling who believe they have been raped or sexually assaulted after having their drinks spiked with powerful sedatives. Police are now warning drinkers to take extra care. They have launched a massive poster campaign in the town's pubs and clubs to raise awareness of doping. Karen Gill, sexual violence team leader at the Women's Support Network, said: "We have spoken to women who were sexually assaulted but have woken up and can't remember what happened." She said her workers had noticed an increase in calls from similar victims in the last 18 months. Ms Gill said the network did not have any official figures on the increase, although one worker said she had dealt with three 'date rape' cases in the last six months. Ms Gill said: "We are not talking about isolated incidents on Teesside anymore." Police say they haven't received reports of 'date rape' but confirmed they have investigated claims of drink spiking in recent months. They believe the handful of reports they have received could just be the tip of the iceberg, with many more going unreported. Sergeant Paul Higgins, Middlesbrough police's licensing officer, said: "The consequences of spiking someone's drinks are potentially very dangerous and we want to alert people without alarming them to take extra care with their drinks." Police say drinks are being spiked with powerful sedative drugs called Rohypnol and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutrate). But in one unusual case, a woman needed hospital treatment after a quantity of heroin was found to have been slipped into her drink in a Middlesbrough pub. Officers say revellers should keep their drinks safe, know what they are drinking, not to accept drinks from strangers and not to drink strange looking or tasting drinks. * The Women's Support Network can be contacted on 01642 822335 or Cleveland Police on 01642 326326. | 
