Avon & Somerset Police anti drink and drugs operations

Christmas anti-drink/drug drive operation begins

Over the next few weeks as the festive season gets underway, Avon and Somerset Police will be out in force conducting proactive roadside checks and talking to motorists about the dangers of drink and drug driving.

The Christmas roads policing operation, which will run throughout the rest of the month, will use community intelligence to target drivers potentially under the influence of drink or drugs. Throughout December police are urging the public to let them know if they suspect someone may be driving while intoxicated.

Information received from the public will then be used in conjunction with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and CCTV data to alert officers to the whereabouts of potential offenders, enabling them to take swift action.

Data from Crimestoppers UK suggests that the public are becoming more inclined to report drink and drug drivers. The national charity, which allows people to report crime 100% anonymously, received more than 34,000 reports between January and September this year about people who regularly drive under the influence of drink and drugs – a 25% increase on the previous year. In several cases this information has directly led to an arrest.

Reports of drink/drug drivers can be made online via Avon and Somerset Police's report drink and drug driving webpage or by calling 101. Alternatively reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs, always call 999.

If you are unsure of the legal limits or the penalties that could be imposed – from points on your license to imprisonment – click HERE