A new product has been launched to help women find out whether their drink has been spiked with drugs.

The matchbox-sized device is designed to detect the three types of drugs typically used in instances of date-rape. The product, called The Drink Detective, contains three test pads for detecting either GHB, benzodiazepines such as Rohypnol and Valium, or ketamine.

Drinkers use a pipette included to apply drops of the beverage to the spots and wait for a reaction. The test is designed to detect the minimum amount of a drug needed to incapacitate the victim, according to makers Bloomsbury Innovations.

The Roofie Foundation, Britain’s only specialised agency dealing with the issues surrounding drug rape and sexual abuse, received almost 1,000 reported cases to its help-line last year.

While date rape is seen as a danger to women, about 15 per cent of the reported victims are men. “For the perpetrator, drug rape is currently an almost risk-free crime,” said Stanley Grossman, a director of London-based Bloomsbury Innovations.

“Victims become partially incapacitated and often have no memory of what occurred. Even if they do realise what happened, all traces of the offending drug will probably have left the system before they go to the police to seek help.”

The Drink Detective will sell for £3.95 each in shops and vending machines and on www.drinkdetective.com.