A national police crackdown on drink and drug driving has revealed a 20 per cent increase in drink and drug driving over Christmas.

Over December, Cambridgeshire police supported a new national campaign from Sussex Police and Surrey Police urging the public to help prevent, persuade or report intoxicated drivers to police over the festive period.

Officers stopped more than 100 motorists out on patrol and in roadside checks across the county.

83 drink and drug driving-related arrests were made across Cambridgeshire County in December this year, a 20 per cent increase compared to 69 in December 2021.

The police have said at least 50 of these arrests ended in charges and the majority of them have already been sentenced.

22 motorists also lost their licences after being caught drink driving or failing to provide a breath test in the same month, being disqualified from driving for periods ranging from one year and three months to two years.

Looking into the breadth of 2022 shows a 5 per cent increase in drink and drug driving related arrests, rising to 812 from 771 in 2021.

PC Nick Southern, Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s casualty reduction officer, said: “I hope our work has made drivers think twice about getting behind the wheel while under the influence, and we also aimed to highlight how long alcohol can remain in your system.

“Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your driving ability.

"If you’re drinking, even if you have just one, arrange another way of getting home.

“Our officers can’t be everywhere but they could be anywhere, so please don’t gamble with your life or your future by drink driving. It’s really not worth the risk.”

Alongside the on-patrol stops and roadside checks, a dedicated road policing operation took place on December 23 across the county led by officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit alongside local officers and a "day of action" targetting drink drivers on December 17, funded by the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner through the Vision Zero Partnership.

You can report a drink driver via Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s 24/7 confidential hotline: 0800 032 0845. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.

For more information about drink or drug driving, visit the force's dedicated web page.