Dorset Police news site

Public reporting has helped police take action on drink and drug drivers over the festive period.

Dorset Police’s ‘Festive Feedback’ campaign encouraged members of the public to report impaired drivers, with every person who contacted police during December receiving a follow-up call updating them on the police response.

This was backed up by a range of enforcement activity, carried out as part of the Operation Limit national drink and drug drive campaign, and efforts to raise awareness on the dangers and impacts of driving whilst impaired.

Across December, the Force received 317 calls from members of the public in relation to motorists believed to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers attended 129 of these incidents and were able to locate 90 of the vehicles involved. This resulted in a total of 36 arrests.

Overall, more than one third of the drink and drug drivers arrested during the month were as a result of members of the public contacting Dorset Police via 999 or 101.

The arrests that resulted from public calls included:

• A woman arrested who was reportedly under the influence of cocaine whilst on the school run.
• A man who was initially reported as a suspected drink driver was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply and was reportedly linked to an organised county lines drugs network.
• A man who was arrested, along with two passengers, on suspicion of drink driving and theft of a motor vehicle who was also wanted on a prison recall.

Inspector Joe Wheable, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “The Festive Feedback initiative was all about improving public confidence and encouraging reporting to police by showing that we will respond to calls around drink and drug action and take positive action.

“The response from those we contacted was overwhelmingly positive, with people indicating that being updated on the outcome of their call made them feel involved in the process.

“They also stated that they felt the call was dealt with professionally and that they agreed with the response taken by police as a result of their contact.

“Not only has the Festive Feedback campaign encouraged members of the public to report incidents to us, it has also provided us with invaluable data to use for future operations and campaigns.

“We would like to thank the community of Dorset for their fantastic response to this campaign.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I want to thank everyone involved in this year’s campaign which has resulted in some significant success with dangerous drivers being taken of the road and their vehicles seized.

“I particularly want to thank the public for their co-operation; your reports and involvement have proved invaluable and will continue to help Dorset Police keep our roads and communities safe.

“Anyone who gets behind the wheel under the influence of drink or illegal drugs puts themselves and others at risk of serious injury or worse, and I am clear that this reckless behaviour will not be tolerated in Dorset.”

The enforcement activity under Op Limit included two proactive operations during December that resulted in 11 people being arrested and 10 cars seized, as well as other traffic offences being detected. Road check points that were set up resulted in more than 100 vehicles being stopped to ensure the motorists were fit to drive.

Over the month of December Dorset Police conducted a total of 178 breath tests and 93 drug wipes.

The campaign was also supported by a range of initiatives to raise awareness and encourage the public to report drink or drug driving by making them aware of the various channels available and the response that would follow.

Dorset Police remains committed to taking action on those who pose a risk to other road users and themselves by driving under the influence of drink or drugs throughout the year and continues to urge members of the public to assist these efforts by reporting any concerns to us.

If you suspect someone has been drinking or has taken drugs and is about to drive, please dial 999 and provide the make and model of the vehicle, registration number and direction of travel.