Warwickshire Police is asking football fans to plan ahead during the Euros to make sure they are not one of the fifteen drivers that officers arrest every week on suspicion of drink or drug driving.

With Germany v Scotland this Friday 14 June followed by England v Serbia on Sunday 16 June, Inspector Simon Paull said

“Please remember if you go out to watch the football that you are responsible for making sure you can get home safely after the match.  This may mean agreeing a nominated driver with your friends before the match, booking a taxi or going out within walking distance of home so you don’t have to drive.   Whatever you do please plan ahead and don’t risk being tempted to drink and drive because you haven’t made any plans.

“We are also asking the public to intervene if they see a friend tempted to drink or drug drive by talking to them and booking them a taxi to help them get home safely.   The public, CCTV operators and local businesses are also encouraged to call the police to report suspected drink or drug drivers.  In an emergency always dial 999.

“The few that do choose to drink or take drugs and drive stand a high chance of being caught as we have more officers on patrol during the Euros and throughout July. “

Police are also advising passengers to think of your own safety and not to get into a car with any driver you think has been drinking or taking drugs.

Recent arrests include

• A 38 year old woman from Tiddington, Stratford-on-Avon was arrested at 1.30am on 10 June in Oak Road, Tiddington on suspicion of drink driving after a member of the public called police to report a collision. Officers stopped the driver believed to be involved in Oak Road and she failed a roadside breath test.  Whilst being arrested and placed in handcuffs the woman is reported to have bitten a police officer.  She was later charged with Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis, driving without insurance and assault on an emergency worker and is scheduled to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 12 July 2024.
• A member of the public also called the police as they were concerned about the manner of driving of a 42 year old man from Bishops Tachbrook they had seen driving along the High Street In Leamington Spa on 9 June. The town centre CCTV also captured his manner of driving. Officers arrived and he failed a roadside breath test.  He was arrested at 2.10pm and later charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 26 June. 
• A 20 year old man from Stratford-on-Avon was arrested at 3.30am on 9 June 2024 after officers spotted that he had stopped at a set of green traffic lights on Old Warwick Road, Leamington Spa when he didn’t need to. On stopping him, he failed a roadside breath test.  He was later charged with Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 28 June.
• A 28 year old man from Farnborough, was arrested when police were called to a collision where a man had driven through a farm hedge near Oxhill. He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested at 10.20pm on 8 June and later charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 12 July.
• A 21 year old man from Whitnash, Leamington Spa was arrested at 3am on 8 June on Bath Place, Leamington Spa after it’s believed he collided with a parked vehicle. He was stopped by officers who arrested him and later charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 26 June.
• A 33 year old man from Leamington Spa was arrested at 10.50pm on 7 June in Windsor Street, Leamington Spa after he was seen driving the wrong way along Windsor Street, Leamington Spa. Officers stopped his vehicle and he failed a roadside breath test. He was later charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 26 June.
• A 22 year old man from Rugby was arrested at 8.15pm on 7 June in Burton Dasset Hills Car Park on suspicion of drug driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. A roadside drugs test provided a positive result.  He has been released on bail for further tests and enquiries to be conducted.
• A 19 year old man from Nuneaton was arrested at 11.05pm on 9 June on suspicion of Driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs after providing a positive roadside drug test following a collision on the B4109 Wolvey. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
• A 56 year old man from Bidford-on-Avon was arrested at 3.55pm on 9 June on suspicion of drink driving on Wixford Road, Bidford after he was involved in a collision. He was charged with drink driving and is scheduled to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 26 June.
• A 37 year old man from Bedworth was arrested at 8.13pm on Friday 7 June in Evans Close, Bedworth following a collision nearby. He was later charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 26 June.

There are a range of local services for adults and young people affected by alcohol and/or drugs.

Change Grow Live (CGL) can support anyone aged 18+ with any concerns about their drug and/or alcohol use and have hubs in Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon. CGL offer personalised 1-1 care and group support.

For more information see: https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-warwickshire 

Or call 01926 353 513

Or email Warwickshire.Info@cgl.org.uk 

You can refer yourself or refer someone else into the service at https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-warwickshire/referrals 

Compass can support children and young people aged 5-25 with any substance misuse issues or concerns including drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping. Compass offer age appropriate information, 1:1 support and group work for any individual needing support with their own substance use, or who have been affected by another’s drug and alcohol use.

For more information and online referral form see:

https://www.compass-uk.org/services/warwickshire-cypdas/ 

Or call: 01788 578 227

For more information see https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/alcohol 

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