Arrests in Thames Valley Police crackdown on drink-driving

Arrests have risen by more than a third during a summer crackdown on drink-driving, Thames Valley Police has said.

Ninety-five people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in the first nine days of the campaign from 1 to 9 June.

This is compared to 67 arrests made by police in the same period last year.

Of those arrested as part of the Is It Worth It? campaign 34 people were charged, 48 were released on bail and 13 people were released without charge.

'No excuse'

Supt Henry Parsons, head of Roads Policing for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, said: "If you choose to drink and drive - and it is a choice - you face a driving ban, up to £5,000 in fines and a criminal record.

"There is no excuse for drink-driving and our message is simple: don't do it. It's not worth the risk."

More drivers were arrested in Berkshire than anywhere else in Thames Valley with 45 people held.

A further 28 arrests were made in Oxfordshire and 22 in Buckinghamshire.

A 73-year-old man held in Edward Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was the oldest driver arrested. The youngest was an 18-year-old man arrested in Monks Way, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.