The Make Mine a Safe One campaign is aimed at students

Warning posters and beer mats are being sent around the region's licensed premises advising people to protect their drinks.

There are fears that they may be contaminated with other, possibly illegal, substances which could have far-reaching consequences, including criminal and sexual assault.

The force is advising people to Make Mine a Safe One so they don't "come a Roy Cropper", a reference to a Coronation Street character who fell victim to this.

Now Northumbria Police has teamed up with the Federation Brewery which has agreed to sponsor a range of beer mats for all of its licensed premises, totalling nearly 800.

Students about to take their initial plunge into North East night life will be the first to get the updated leaflets.

'Potentially dangerous'

They are being distributed at the universities of Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland.

Credit card-sized leaflets will advise students how to avoid having their drink spiked in a pub, club or party, how to recognise the signs of spiked drinks and what to do if it happens to them or their friends.

Posters are also being distributed via licensing officers based in each of Northumbria's 15 area commands, as well as the Federation Brewery.

Superintendent Jim Peacock, head of Community Safety, said: "We don't think this habit is any more prevalent in Northumbria than any other region, but we don't want it happening at all.

"It is potentially dangerous to put something into someone else's drink, whether it's a shot of vodka or some other substance."

Steven Wanless, trade promotions manager for the Federation Brewery, said: "We want people who visit the region's pubs, bars and restaurants to remember it as an enjoyable experience - not something they could live to regret through no fault of their own."