| The Neighbourhood Policing Team from Cirencester together with Officers from Roads Policing started this year’s Christmas Anti-Drink and Drug Drive campaign with Hi visibility road checks which resulted in speed offences detected and numerous breath tests conducted. A new set of measures are being used to help stop intoxicated drivers getting behind the wheel in the first place and to catch those who don’t heed the warnings, the team have visited licensed premises in Cirencester to remind owners of their responsibilities. More recently Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl issued an open letter to licensees, bar staff and road users asking them to avoid alcohol and use alternative means of transport to get home safely. A new task force of roads policing officers will be running proactive drink drive campaigns alongside the Special Constabulary across the county – with the first week seeing vehicle stops in the Cotswolds, Stroud, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Forest of Dean, Dursley and Tewkesbury areas. Additionally, while 999 should always be used in an emergency when time is of the essence, a new police text number – 07860 009 095 – will give people the chance to report information discreetly about regular drink drivers or someone they suspect is likely to drink drive but hasn’t yet headed for their vehicle. In recent years, detection of drug driving offences has also been improved by the use of drug swipe kits at the road side that can indicate the use of cocaine and cannabis. |
| Message Sent By Andy Baker (Police, Constable, Cirencester) |
