Four Nantwich drivers were arrested for drink driving in Cheshire Police’s Operation Blue Christmas.
The campaign results show an overall drop in drink drive arrests over the festive season.
A total of 134 motorists were arrested on suspicion of drink driving between Monday December 1 and Thursday January 1 – a 25% reduction from 2013 when 179 offenders were arrested.
There were four arrests in Nantwich out of a total of 49 in the Eastern Division. These included 15 in Congleton, 13 in Crewe, seven in Macclesfield, three in Knutsford and seven in Wilmslow.
The figures emerged as Cheshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer revealed how he backs a bid to reduce the drink drive legal limit.
Of the 134 people arrested, 108 were men and 26 were women, with the oldest person being an 87 year-old-woman. The youngest was a 17-year-old man arrested in Northwich.
Officers also arrested eight people for drug driving, a 25% increase on 2013.
Supt Bev Raistrick said: “It is extremely pleasing to see that the majority or motorists have heeded the warnings we have issued around the dangers of drink driving.
“However, it is also disappointing to see that despite repeated warnings there are still a small number of motorist who believe that it is acceptable to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol.
“Although this operation has now finished, I want to reassure the public that drink driving is an issue that we will continue to target 365 days a year.”
Mr Dwyer (pictured) is part of a UK group studying proposals to reduce the legal limit from 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, to 50 milligrams of alcohol.
He said: “Personally, I am keen to reduce the drink drive limit because drink driving is a completely reckless decision for anyone to make.
“The Constabulary works hard to tackle drink driving. In December 2014, more than 2,000 breathalyser tests were conducted which resulted in more than 100 arrests.
“This emphasises the stand Cheshire Constabulary is taking on this issue. I urge people not to take the risk, don’t drink and drive.”
Anyone who suspects a driver is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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