West Midlands Police offer £200 reward in drink-drive campaign

A motoring organisation has criticised a drink-drive campaign which rewards people who report offenders with payments of up to £200.

The RAC has said the Christmas safety campaign, which is being led by West Midlands Police and Central Motorway Police Group, has a "lot of issues" about how it is enforced.

Money will be offered to anyone whose information leads to a conviction.

The forces said they hoped the campaign would save lives.

They added they also planned to release photos of all drivers found guilty.

'Shouldn't need incentive'

Matt Dallaway from the RAC said he was not a "great fan" of the incentive.

"If you think it through, there are some real practical issues about how this scheme is used," he said.

"For instance, how do you police this once the person has made the phone call?

"I think most responsible motorists will prefer to encourage people not to get their keys out if they are in that condition."

Tony Dring, from the Campaign Against Drink Driving group, said it was "disappointing" that it had come to people "having to shop their mates".

He said: "It shouldn't need a £200 incentive but if that's what it takes to save a life, whether it be your own or somebody you love, then so be it."

West Midlands Police said about 4,000 drivers were breathalysed last year, with more than 300 prosecuted for failing the test.

People can make reports of suspected drink-drivers anonymously via the Crimestoppers service, the force said.

Insp Greg Jennings said: "We would still urge people to consider the consequences of drink-driving before they get in the car but if people have legitimate concerns about a friend they can call us with locations and details of the vehicle so we can act."

He said the rewards would be paid from a £10,000 budget set aside for the force's annual drink-drive campaign.