In the past year, there have been six cases in Banbury of women reporting that their drinks were spiked, leaving them drowsy or unconscious.

Scientists have developed a high-tech cocktail stirrer, which can detect the presence of certain drugs and changes colour to alert drinkers.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Sturman, the chairman of the Drug Rape Trust, said it could become an important part of everyday bar and club culture.

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DCI Sturman said: "It's being looked at and evaluated by the scientists at the moment but the technology is there.

"The idea is eventually they will be mass-produced and my hope is bar staff, when they make a drink, will automatically put one of these sticks into the drink and if any drugs are added later on, it will detect it."