POLICE in the region last night said young women who binge drink are leaving themselves more vulnerable to sex attacks.

Cleveland Police said officers were called to deal with at least four attacks on women in the force area every weekend.

They said too much drink leads to a lowering of defences and could result in women being assaulted.

Detective Superintendent Steve Swales, of Hartlepool police, said the attacks were disturbing.

He said: "Increasingly, reports of sexual assaults upon young women follow a significant pattern.

"Often, the victim is somewhere between the age of 18 and 25 years old, has spent all evening getting drunk to the point of being insensible and will have become separated from their friends.

"The realisation, when sober, of what has occurred often leads to a real trauma for the victim.

"In no way do I wish to belittle that experience, however, many of these incidents are preventable.

"I would like to reinforce the message to young women to watch what they are drinking and, wherever possible, to stick with their friends throughout the evening, particularly when making their way home."