There was an increase in the number of people arrested in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as part of the Christmas Drink and Drug Driving Campaign which ran from 1 to 31 December 2022.

Operation Holly saw 286 arrests, compared to 276 in 2021. Of these, 153 were for drink driving and 133 for drug driving.

The campaign was backed this year by Karen Marchant, who lost her 15-year-old daughter Rebecca when she was killed by a drink driver in February 2016.

Chief inspector Chris Spellerberg, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police said: “While I am pleased this year’s campaign has been a success with so many arrests, there are still too many people continuing to get behind the wheel despite being under the influence.

“Anyone who drives after drinking or taking drugs is putting the lives of innocent people at risk. All too often, drink or drug driving leads to devastating collisions where people are killed or seriously injured.

“Even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs can impair your ability to drive and we hope the message of this campaign gets through. It is never acceptable to drink or drug drive. It’s not worth the risk.”