Underage girls in Strabane have been sexually assaulted after having their drinks spiked, police believe.

Detectives in the County Tyrone town said they have received no complaints to date, but they suspect the girls have not come forward because they were drinking while underage.

Chief Inspector Nicky Thompson said it was vital that victims did come forward.

"We have received information in Strabane that some girls are going into local bars and are being tricked into drinking alcohol which has been spiked with drugs," he said.

"Our information also suggests that the aim of the people doing this is to possibly sexually assault the girls once they have left the premises.

"We have received no complaints in relation to the matter and I would be appealing to anyone at this stage who thinks that they may have been the victim of this type of incident to come forward to us."