Stirrers saying 'spiked' will be put in unattended drinks

Authorities have distributed thousands of stirrers to drinking venues across the county, each with the word "spiked" emblazoned across the top.

Bar staff will pop the stirrers into unattended drinks as a reminder of how easy it is to tamper with beverages.

The move comes as police become increasingly concerned with so-called date rapes arising from cases in which drinks are spiked with drugs such as Rohypnol or GHB.

Earlier this month a man was jailed for life at Lincoln Crown Court for series of such rapes.

Campaign organiser Nina Dauban said: "It is difficult to know the exact numbers (of rapes and assaults) because by the nature of the experience people aren't clear what has happened and are not coming forward."