First drug rape study

Specialist rape centres in England and Wales are to conduct the first official research on drug rape.

The campaign has been launched to determine how big a threat the problem poses after senior police officers pointed out there were no official statistics.

The research will be carried out by nine rape centres and the results are due next year.

They will screen rape cases

where the victim alleges drugs were involved. Many campaigns have been launched to tackle the crime, with free testing kits given out so revellers can check for spiked drinks.

Drug rape victim group the Roofie Foundation says it has received 6,000 calls to its helpline since 1997.