A man has earnt the dubious honour of being the first to be arrested by Sussex Police in the force’s 2015 Christmas drink and drug-driving campaign.
Four drivers were made on Tuesday, the first day of the campaign. The first was a 27-year-old man who was stopped in Grand Parade, Brighton on suspicion of drink-driving and bailed until 5 January.
Chief Inspector Andy Gooch, of the Surrey and Sussex Police Road Policing Unit, said: “We made our first arrest on suspicion of drink-driving within just four hours of the Christmas 2015 campaign being launched. This occurred in the early hours of the morning and was followed by two further arrests before midday – one during the morning rush hour.
“It is unacceptable to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs at any time, and it is particularly concerning to think that some people get behind the wheel of their car the morning after, believing that they will be fine after a few hours’ sleep.”
Operation Dragonfly, run by Sussex and Surrey Police, targets drink and drug-drivers throughout the year in a bid to save lives on roads across the two counties.
The others arrested on Tuesday were a 30-year-old man at 8.22am at Golden Cross, Lewes, on suspicion of drug-driving, bailed until 20 January, a 25-year-old man at 10.33am in Grange Close, Crawley, on suspicion of drug-driving, bailed until 23 January and a 63-year-old woman at 8.22pm at Langley Parade, Crawley, on suspicion of drink-driving, bailed until 27 December.
A 69-year-old man was also arrested at 9.39pm on Wednesday (2 December) in Winchelsea Road, Hastings, on suspicion of drink-driving, and bailed until 31 December.
People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).
To keep up to date with officers looking for drink or drug drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.
If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.
