Police have issued advice to revellers to avoid having their drinks spiked - amid an increase in reported incidents.

In a Freedom of Information response, the force confirmed that the number of reported incidents involving allegations of drinks being spiked totalled 11 between April 2017 and April this year.

There were seven such reports the previous year and six in 2015-16, with just one incident reported in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and none in 2012-13.

Already this year, 2018-19, there have been two reports of spiked drinks since April.

In the FoI request, the police were asked to say how many reports there had been since September 2012 that included both the words ’drink’ and ’spiking’ or ’lacing’.

Results were reviewed to remove false hits where ’spike’ mentioned only related the hairstyle of a person involved.

In its response, the police urged anyone who suspects their drink has been spiked to contact them quickly.

It said there were some measures people can take to cut the risk of this happening:

â?¢ Never leave your drink unattended and keep an eye of your friend’s drink.

â?¢ Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know.

â?¢ Consider sticking to bottled drinks, avoiding punch bowls or jugs of cocktails,

â?¢ If you think your drink has been tampered with, don’t drink it - tell a trusted friend or relative immediately.

â?¢ Know your limits - do not drink to excess.

â?¢If you are having an adverse reaction to a drink, seek medical attention immediately.

â?¢ Before going out, tell someone where you are going, with whom and what time you expect to be home.

â?¢Make plans for your journey home.