A NORTH-East police force is working with other constabularies in the first-ever probe into the extent of drug-assisted rape in England.

Northumbria Police has been asked to assist in collating information to assess how widespread the crime is.

Operation Matise involves eight police forces in England and is expected to start in August or September.

Analysis of samples garnered at specialist sexual assault centres and victim questionnaires will be used to compile statistics on the crime's prevalence.

Detective Superintendent Tony Thornton of Northumbria Police said: "We have no evidence at the moment to suggest there is a huge problem with drug-assisted rape in Northumbria.

"However, we are very enthusiastic about being involved in the project.

"We welcome any initiative which could help us provide a better service to victims of this type of offence."

The research will assess how much the symptoms related to drug-assisted rape are caused by alcohol, recreational drugs or prescribed drugs.

Others taking part are the Metropolitan, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Midlands, Leicestershire and Derbyshire forces.

* Police advise people not to accept drinks from someone they don't trust, not to leave drinks unattended, to leave a drink if it tastes strange, not to drink so much you lose your memory and if you feel unusually light-headed or ill to seek help from a friend or bar staff.