Christmas anti-drink and drugs drive campaign sees 95 arrests

The annual Christmas anti-drink and drugs drive campaign for 2021 has seen a total of 95 people being arrested for driving related offences.

The figure for this year’s campaign, which ran across the county from 1 December to 1 January, is down on last year’s number when 130 people were arrested.

A total of 49 people were arrested for motoring offences related to alcohol, while 33 were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Following the work of officers on the roads of Gloucestershire, a total of 41 people were charged for a variety of offences and have appeared or will appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court.

An additional 39 people have been released under investigation and several people gave a negative breath test after being brought into a station.

The campaign, coordinated by Gloucestershire Constabulary with Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, aimed to educate drivers of the dangers and penalties they could face by getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs and to blow some of the myths associated with drink driving.

Enforcement action saw the Special Constabulary conducting a number of proactive operations throughout the county and roads policing officers making targeted patrols.

Chief Inspector Al Barby said: “Every day we have seen motorists who continue to believe that they are able to drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

“It is disappointing that the message is still not getting through to a small number of people who continue to flout the law.

“Our roads officers and Special Constables have done a fantastic job of ensuring roads are safe from those who still drive while intoxicated.

“Their work doesn’t end here – while the Christmas campaign has finished, we will continue to target all those who think that it is acceptable to take a risk and drive under the influence of drink and drugs.”

A number of drivers were also caught for a variety of other offences, including driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.