HAMPSHIRE Police arrested a total of 222 people for drink and/or drug-driving during their month-long Christmas campaign.

A total of nine motorist were arrested in East Hampshire between December 1 and January 1 – the same figure as 12 months ago.

The total number of arrests in Hampshire was 215 in 2015 – putting this year’s figures up by 3.2 per cent across the county. This year also saw an increase of 63 per cent in the number of arrests for drug-driving across both Hampshire and the Thames Valley – up from 49 to 80 cases.

Hampshire Constabulary Roads Policing Chief Inspector Henry Parsons said: “It’s disappointing we continue to find so many people drink driving. The effects of it are so dangerous and it’s not worth the risk – there is no excuse for it. These figures show we remain committed to targeting those who cause death on our roads and make the roads less safe than they should be.”

The reporting of suspected drink-driving incidents by members of the public led to prompt action being taken by roads officers to protect the public.

Surrey Police’s 2016 campaign used the simple message ‘Go cold turkey’ and have none at all, and saw officers carry out dedicated 24/7 patrols over the same period.

It led to the arrests of 100 drivers, half of which have already been charged with drink-related offences and are due at, or have already been to court.

A 37-year-old man from Haslemere was charged with drink-driving after he was stopped when he was seen driving with a front tyre missing on the M25, at Egham, at around 4pm, on December 28.

John Woolford of Meadowlands Drive, was disqualified from driving for 30 months, given a nine-month community order and ordered to pay an £85 fund charge plus £85 costs, when he appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court on January 11.

Of the remaining drivers arrested, 42 remain on bail pending further enquiries, six face no further action and two will be summonsed to court.

• If you know someone who drinks over the limit or takes drugs and drives you can call police on 101 or, if it’s an emergency, dial 999.

You can also call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.