Warwickshire Police officers have now arrested 85 people on suspicion of drink or drug driving as Operation Limit, the NPCC anti drink and drug driving operation, continues in the run up to Christmas.  This includes 23 arrests in the last week after 236 drivers were stopped, and 105 breath tests and 38 drug wipes completed.   

Sergeant Shaun Bridle said “We would like to thank Stratford Upon Avon CCTV operators who are monitoring the roads in the town and following any driver they have a concern about and reporting them to police.  This has resulted in two arrests of suspected drink drivers this week.  Two members of the public also alerted police to drivers they were concerned about – one in Alcester resulting in an arrest and another on the road between Bidford upon Avon and Broom who was later arrested. We are asking the public to please continue to report suspected drink and drug drivers to us on 101.  In an emergency please call 999.” 

It is getting close to Christmas now and suspected drink and drug drivers arrested on Christmas Eve could find themselves waking up in a police cell on Christmas morning whilst further tests, interviews and ‘paperwork’ is completed before they can be released.   Warwickshire Police do not want this and is urging anyone planning a night out to pre book a taxi, agree a nominated driver, drink non alcoholic beverages or choose somewhere easy to get home from. 

Recent arrests include the following:-  

A 30 year old man from Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury was arrested at 16.18hours on 12 December on suspicion of drink driving in York Avenue, Atherstone after officers were called to a collision involving several parked cars.  He was later charged with Taking a Vehicle Without Consent, Failing to provide a breath test, driving without insurance or a driving licence, and assault of an emergency worker.  He has been released on conditional police bail not to enter the county of Warwickshire and is due to appear at Coventry Magistrates on 23 January 2023. 

A 38 year old man from Stratford upon Avon was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after CCTV operators contacted police concerned for his manner of driving a Peugeot Partner van through Stratford and followed him on CCTV to Morrisons Carpark.  He was located by officers in the vehicle and failed a roadside breath test.  He was released ten hours later after he was charged with drink driving to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on 23 January 2023. 

A 56 year old man from Droitwich was arrested at 01.18hours on 15 December on suspicion of drink driving after he was involved in a single vehicle collision whilst driving a Honda Jazz between junctions 3 and 3a of the M6.  Officers arrived and he failed a road side breath test and was charged to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 3 February 2023.  

A 75 year old man from Alcester was arrested at 19.30hours on 14 December on suspicion of drink driving thanks to a member of the public who called police concerned about the manner of driving a blue Landrover Freelander from Bidford-upon-Avon to Broom.  Officers attended the registered keeper’s address and he failed a roadside breath test and was later charged to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 3 February 2023.  

A 35 year old man from Snitterfield was arrested at 03.15hours on 15 December on suspicion of drink driving after CCTV operators watched him driving through Stratford upon Avon and called police due to his manner of driving.  Officers caught up with him on Birmingham Road where he failed to provide a breath test and was arrested.  He was released just before midday after being charged to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 3 February.  

A 32 year old man from Birmingham was arrested by officers when his driving caught their attention at 23.00hours on 16 December on Coleshill Road, Nuneaton.  He failed a roadside breath test and spent 11 hours in custody.  He was charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates on 10 February 2023.  

A 27 year old man from Rugby was arrested at 22.37hours on 17 December in Round street, Rugby after his Peugeot was stopped by officers who had spotted suspected defects on his vehicle.  He failed a roadside breath test and spent 11 hours in police custody.  He was charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 10 February 2023.  

A 21 year old woman from Kenilworth was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Rosefield Street, Leamington Spa at 00.27hours on 18 December when officers pulled her over due to her manner of driving.  She failed a road side breath test and after spending the night in a police cell was charged to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 10 February.  

A 23 year old man from London was arrested at 03.35hours on 13 December on the M40 at Warwick Services after officers observed his manner of driving and he failed a road side drugs wipe for suspected cannabis.  He has been released on police bail pending further test results. 

A 32 year old an from Leicester was arrested at 08.03hours on 13 December on the A45 near Ryton on Dunsmore after a collision.  He failed a roadside drug wipe.  He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug believed to be cocaine and was released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 24 year old man from Stratford Upon Avon was arrested at 09.39hours on 13 December at Junction 11 of the M40 when his VW Scirocco was stopped by officers due to his manner of driving.  He failed a roadside drugs wipe for suspected cannabis.  He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 35 year old man from Mancetter was arrested at 21.50hours on 13 December in Red Deeps, Nuneaton for failing to provide a breath test.  He was later charged to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on 23 January 2023. 

A 29 year old woman from Ketley, Telford was arrested at 05.21hours on 15 December on suspicion of drug driving after officers stopped her car on Tryan Road, Nuneaton and she failed a road side drugs wipe.  She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 23 year old man from Coventry was arrested at 15.55hours on 17 December on suspicion of drug driving on the A46 after he provided a positive drugs wipe.  He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 27 year old man from Nuneaton was arrested at 01.06hours on 18 December after officers observed his manner of driving on Dugdale Street, Nuneaton.  He failed a roadside drugs wipe for suspected cannabis and has been released on police bail pending further tests. 

A 54 year old man from Rugby was arrested at 18.19hours on 19 December on suspicion of drink driving in Holloway Way, Rugby after he was involved in a collision in his VW Golf.  He failed a roadside breath test and has been released on police bail.  

A 49 year old woman from Hertford was arrested at 00.50hours on 13 December on suspicion of drink driving in Regency Drive, Alcester after a member of the public reported concern for a driver who had stopped their car in the road.  Officers arrived and she failed a roadside breath test.  She has since been charged to Coventry Magistrates Court on 23 January 2023. 

A 34 year old man from Littleover, Derby was arrested at 09.29hours on 14 December on suspicion of drug driving on the M40 between Junction 11 and 12 southbound.  He failed a roadside drugs wipe and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 51 year old man from Leamington was arrested at 09.21hours on 16 December on suspicion of drug driving on the M40/M42 when he failed a road side drugs wipe for suspected cocaine.  He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 47 year old man from Ampthill, Bedford was arrested at 09.20hours on 16 December on suspicion of drug driving on the M42 after his vehicle was stopped and he failed a road side drugs test.  He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 21 year old man from Leamington was arrested at 23.55hours on 17 December on suspicion of drug driving in York Road, Leamington after he failed a roadside drugs wipe for suspected cannabis. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

A 27 year old man from Ascot was arrested at 09.38hours on 19 December on suspicion of drug driving when he was stopped in his Honda Civic on the B4100 Gaydon and he failed a road side drugs wipe. He has been released on police bail whilst officers await further test results. 

A 44 year old man from Castleford, West Yorkshire was arrested at 15.07hours on 19 December on suspicion of drug driving on the A429 near Wellesbourne and his Kia car was stopped and he failed a roadside drugs wipe for suspected cocaine. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.