'Shocking' 71 driving arrests in Christmas crackdown

More than 70 people have been arrested in the first week of a Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers.

Sussex Police are setting up stop points around the county to check and test some drivers.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, whose father was killed in a road collision when she was a teenager, said the numbers were "shocking", adding that 22 people had been charged so far.

"We know more and more people are driving under the influence of drugs, it's entirely unacceptable," she said on Tuesday, at the Cuilfail Tunnel stop point in Lewes.

Ms Shiner told BBC Radio Sussex: "Particularly at this time of year, we know people go to Christmas parties and celebrate.

"They don't always think about the consequences of driving the next morning.

"It's a been a busy morning, we've already had five people arrested. This month we've had 71 arrests of people under the influence of drink, drugs or both.

"It could be you tomorrow morning."

The force's campaign last December saw 8,621 vehicles stopped, a 71% increase on the 2023 figures, and the highest ever for the campaign - but arrests were down 6% on 2023, with a total of 244 arrests.

During the campaign, just over 1,500 breath tests were carried out, with 112 people either failing or refusing to take the test.

More than 600 drug wipes were used, with 217 testing positive and 132 people being arrested.

Ms Shiner said police performed random checks because there was not a "huge rhyme or reason" for who may be under the influence.

Max Setra, roads policing officer, added: "You never really know, one drink could put you over on one day."

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