Police make 152 arrests in Christmas crackdown on drink and drugged-up drivers

Police[1] have arrested more than 150 drivers on suspicion of being unfit to be behind the wheel during a festive crackdown. In just four weeks cops carried out 429 roadside breath tests – with scores failing. Some motorists were found to be over the limit for both booze and drugs.

The dedicated Christmas operation took place between December 1 and January 1 – a period where traditionally police catch out more drink drivers. During the initiative checkpoints were set up in the county while patrolling officers were also on the lookout for bad driving. There have also been occasions during such crackdowns where concerned members of the public will call the force to inform them about a driver they think is over the limit.

READ: Police drop case against man, 68, accused of murdering mum and daughter | The bodies of Joyce and Karen Wilshaw were discovered at their Cheadle home on New Year’s Eve[2] READ: UK set for Arctic blast as Stoke-on-Trent ‘to feel like -5C’ | The Met Office says the UK can expect ‘really cold weather’[3] Over the operation a total of 117 provided positive results for roadside breath tests while 38 gave positive drug wipes.

The force says some were caught out for both – hence a total figure of 152 arrests. As reported by StokeonTrentLive[4] back in 2022 that month-long initiative saw 111 drivers arrested on suspicion of either drink driving or failing to provide a sample. A further 28 people undertook a drug swipe – with 12 of those subsequently being arrested on suspicion of drug-driving

Meanwhile in 2023, 135 were arrested on suspicion of drink driving[5] – while 61 were nabbed for drug driving. That initiative got underway on November 20 as the World Cup started. This year and officers say they will continue to target criminality on the county’s roads as part of the ongoing Operation Lightning initiative.

Chief Superintendent Paul Talbot said: “Staffordshire Police continues to invest in proactive units utilising their specialist skills to identify and apprehend those people committing crime or putting other road users at risk through their reckless behaviour. “These results demonstrate both the ability and importance of our proactive policing activity, enforcing the law and making our roads a safer place on which to travel. Operation Lightning is continuing throughout 2024, with the aim of making Staffordshire roads safer for all and challenging those who cause harm to our communities.

“So please be aware that our work continues and those who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be brought to justice”. It comes as part of an ongoing effort to boost safety on Staffordshire’s roads. StokeonTrentLive has reported[6] how GBP640,000 has been provided by the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) to replace 20 fixed-speed cameras with digital devices along with improving equipment in the mobile camera vans. To date and improved static cameras have gone up in Hanley[7], Trent Vale[8], Baddeley Green[9], and Sneyd Green[10].

Officials say that last year 42 people died on the county’s roads. Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, who also co-chairs the SSRP, has welcomed the work by officers. He said: “Last year, 42 people sadly lost their lives on our roads, with drink or drug driving thought to be a factor in a number of fatal road collisions.

“This operation saw officers from the Roads Policing Unit taking a proactive approach to tackling this issue, keeping roads across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safer by targeting those who choose to break the law.” Want more court and crime news? Sign up to our court and crime newsletter here[11]

References

1. ^ Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ Police drop case against man, 68, accused of murdering mum and daughter | The bodies of Joyce and Karen Wilshaw were discovered at their Cheadle home on New Year’s Eve (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ UK set for Arctic blast as Stoke-on-Trent ‘to feel like -5C’ | The Met Office says the UK can expect ‘really cold weather’ (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ As reported by StokeonTrentLive (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
5. ^ Meanwhile in 2023, 135 were arrested on suspicion of drink driving (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
6. ^ StokeonTrentLive has reported (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
7. ^ Hanley (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
8. ^ Trent Vale (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
9. ^ Baddeley Green (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
10. ^ Sneyd Green (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
11. ^ Want more court and crime news?

    Sign up to our court and crime newsletter here (data.reachplc.com)