Over 2000 Vehicles Stopped In Suffolk's Christmas Campaign

Police in Suffolk stopped 2,366 vehicles and made 160 arrests, during the annual Christmas campaign highlighting the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink and drugs.

The month-long initiative ran between Sunday 1 December 2024 until Wednesday 1 January 2025, in conjunction with a UK-wide operation organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The campaign urged the public to consider #IsYourLicenceWorthIt?

Messaging focused on the ‘everyday’ drink driver. This person might have had two or three pints at the pub after work, on a Friday night. They might have spent Saturday night at a Christmas party and are driving on Sunday morning whilst still over the limit. They think they’re fine to drive, they’ve only had a few but their ability to assess the road and its risks is significantly reduced.

Officers breathalysed 1,987 drivers across Suffolk as well as conducting 379 drug wipes.

Of those tests:

72 people were arrested after providing a positive breath test or refusing to provide a sample

88 people were arrested following a positive drug wipe

Of all the people who failed a test, 84% were male (compared to 86% last year) and 21% were under the age of 25 (compared to 14% last year).

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “160 people in Suffolk decided that they wanted to not only risk their licences but also their lives and the lives of other road users. This is incredibly disappointing.

“There has been a disappointing increase in the number of young people committing these offences. There is a real need to fully understand the consequences of your actions. You could lose your licence, your income, your freedom and ultimately your life.

“Driving under the influence is a choice and there are always other options. We will continue to remove these offending drivers from our roads but we do ask that if you have the chance to stop someone from getting behind the wheel, you could save that person their licence or more importantly, you could save a life.”

“Although we highlight drink and drug driving at this time of year, it is of course something we enforce 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These results only strengthen the need for campaigns such as this as people continue choose to take such unnecessary risks whilst being fully aware of the dangers.”

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “It is absolutely right that the Constabulary focuses on the issue of drink and drug driving to keep Suffolk’s roads safe for us all. I fully support this approach, particularly over the festive period. However, I am absolutely frustrated to see so many drivers continuing to get behind the wheel impaired, despite the fact that it is so obviously wrong.

“I am particularly disappointed to see the increase in the number for younger drivers failing alcohol and drug tests. This is a new generation of drivers who appear not have heeded the very clear messages about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“I hope these results make people really think about the impact that losing the licence would have on their day-to-day lives and come to the realisation that it truly is not worth it.”

We understand that you may be close to someone who regularly gets behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol and this can make it difficult to speak to police. You can report drink and drug driving anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.