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Op Solar - 36 Arrests In First Five Days Of Summer Drink-Drive Campaign

Roads policing officers have arrested 36 people on suspicion of drink driving less then one week into Hampshire Constabulary's summer drink-drive campaign Op Solar.

Op Solar was launched on June 1 and is aimed at targeting drink and drug drivers over the summer months.

Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, there have been 36 arrests relating to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Of those arrested, 31 were male [86 per cent] and five were female [14 per cent]. The oldest was a 70-year-old woman in the New Forest and the youngest an 18-year-old man from the New Forest. The average age of those arrested was 31.

In total, 28 of the 36 arrested have been charged, with one bailed and seven released with no further action.

This year's Op Solar arrests show a 12 per cent decrease on the 41 made during the same period in 2011.

The campaign, which runs until September, will see police targeting individuals they suspect of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, both on the way home from nights out and the morning after a heavy night.

Sunday, June 3 saw the most arrests with 14, while 13 arrests were made on Saturday, five on Monday and two on both Friday and Tuesday.

So far the majority of arrests, broken down by force Area, [21] have been made in the Western Area of Hampshire, with 13 in Southampton, four in the Eastleigh and Romsey area and four in the New Forest. The Eastern Area had 10 arrests in total with five in Portsmouth, one in Havant and four on the Isle of Wight. The Northern Area had five arrests in total, in Winchester and the surrounding area.

Superintendent Chris Brown, head of Roads Policing for Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, said: "Getting behind the wheel after drinking may cost you your jobs, your relationships, your independence and the respect of others. Most importantly it could cost you your life or the life of someone who has the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"If you choose to drink and drive - and it is a choice - you face a driving ban, up to £5,000 in fines and a criminal record.

"There is no excuse for drink driving and our message is simple; don't do it. It's not worth the risk."

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