A rise in drink-drive offences has left one police force worried

Superintendent Peter Clark's comments came after Grampian Police caught 21 drivers over the limit last weekend.

The worst case was that of someone who was three-and-a-half times over the legal limit to drive.

Supt Clark said: "What is particularly worrying is that of the 21 drivers caught this weekend, 11 were young drivers aged between 19 and 25 years."

The force has now urged the public to inform them of any information about drink-drivers.

Public help

Supt Clark: "Make no mistake, if those who continue to drink and drive think they will never get caught I can point them in the direction of 21 people who had the same idea this last weekend and were proved otherwise.

"We will continue to target known offenders with every available resource," he said.

"Our best weapon is information and I urge members of the public to continue reporting these individuals who put themselves and others at risk."

He said catching drink-drivers was a priority for his officers.

The number of drink-drivers caught in Scotland over Christmas 2003 rose despite the annual police crackdown.

A total of 770 drivers were charged, compared with 750 the previous year.

One driver was arrested every hour during the four-week campaign and the number of women caught increased by almost a third.