Two hundred arrested in drink-drive crackdown

Two hundred people have been arrested so far in a Christmas drink and drug driving crackdown, Sussex Police has said.

People from across the county have been caught in the operation, which was launched on 1 December to decrease road deaths and injuries.

The force has warned it will publish the names of those convicted to raise awareness of the issue and act as a deterrent to others.

Sussex Police chief constable Jo Shiner said: "Every year, we see a number of innocent people killed or seriously injured on our roads by drivers who are high on drink or drugs - it needs to stop."

Ms Shiner, who is also the roads policing lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "The impact on victims and their families is devastating.

"No-one should expect to receive a knock on the door to be told they have lost their loved one in a collision due to a drink or drug-driver.

Ms Shiner said Sussex Police had again stepped up patrols in December with the festive season "still in full swing".

The increased police presence would "protect all road users in Sussex and bring those offenders to justice," she continued.

A total of 270 drink and drug-driving arrests were made in the county during the last campaign that ran from 1 December, 2024, to 1 January, 2025.

In 2024, there were 70 crashes in East and West Sussex in which someone was killed or seriously injured related to alcohol, plus 48 related to drugs, according to Sussex Police.

Those figures were up from 27 for alcohol and 19 for drugs in 2023, the force added.

Anyone caught drink or drug-driving can be disqualified, receive an unlimited fine or a prison sentence.

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