Drink-drive crackdown sees more than 100 arrested

A male police officer in a high-visibility jacket leans in as he talks to someone in a dark car parked up as part of a drink drive campaign. In the background two other officers are talking in front of a large sign and some trees.Image source, Gloucestershire Police
Image caption,

The operation involved multiple organisations across Gloucestershire

  • Published

More vehicles were stopped in a county-wide Christmas drink-drive operation than in the previous year, police have said.

Gloucestershire Police said officers pulled over 1,158 were pulled over in total, compared to about 800 in 2023.

Of the drivers stopped, 117 were arrested and 59 charged with drink-driving offences or failing to provide a specimen.

Inspr Marty Murawa said: "It's disappointing 117 motorists risked their own life and the lives of others by driving whist under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

In total, 68 people were arrested for drink-driving related offences and 49 people arrested on suspicion of drug-driving related offences during the campaign, which ran from 1 December to 2 January.

Four vehicles and four Police officers speaking to drivers who have been pulled over for drink drive checks.Image source, Avon & Somerset Police
Image caption,

The campaign involves several agencies including Gloucestershire County Council

As well as the police, the annual campaign involves Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner along with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

The force say the aim of the campaign, launched at the beginning of December 2024, is also to educate drivers about the dangers and penalties they can face.

Insp Murawa, from Specialist Operations at Gloucestershire Police, thanked the different agencies involved for helping "take drink and drug drivers off the roads".

Get in touch

Tell us which stories we should cover in Gloucestershire

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.