Arrests and Charges as Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign Continues

As the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign continues throughout Cleveland, officers charged a man and woman and arrested a number of others on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs this weekend.

Over 1500 drivers have been tested throughout the campaign so far and officers have found that the majority of people checked for alcohol or drugs whilst behind the wheel have not been over the drink/drug drive limit, and want to thank those people who driven responsibly and within the law.

140 breath tests were carried out in Hartlepool on Friday 8^th December, 184 tests were carried out on Saturday 9^th December in Redcar and a further 160 tests were carried out in Marton and Redcar on Sunday 10^th December.

Checks were also carried out near Newport Bridge in Middlesbrough this morning, Monday 11^th December.

A number of arrests and charges linked to suspected drink or drug driving were made over the weekend, including:

• As breath tests were carried out in the Longlands area, a vehicle failed to stop for police and a short pursuit ended when the vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested after failing a drugswipe test. A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and bailed whilst enquiries continue.
  
  
• Following a report of a collision on Collin Avenue, Middlesbrough, around 10:45pm on Friday 8^th December, whereby a Merecedes reportedly collided with a parked Ford Focus, a woman is reported to have assaulted a man and punched a police officer.
  The woman failed a breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, assault an emergency worker and aggravated vehicle taking. The 35-year-old woman was bailed whilst enquiries continue.
  
  
• A 44-year-old woman has been charged with drink driving after a member of the public reported erratic driving on the A174 around 5:30pm on Saturday 9^th
  A Fiat 500 was stopped and a woman was arrested and later charged to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court on Thursday 28^th December.
  
  
• A 25-year-old man was charged with drink driving and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence after a Skoda Fabia was stopped on Douglas Street, Middlesbrough, in the early hours of Sunday 10^th The man is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28^th December.
  
  
• The driver of a Volvo S60 which failed to stop for police around 2am on Sunday 10^th December on Lindisfarne Road, Middlesbrough, was arrested after being detained on suspicion of drug driving. The 29-year-old man has been bailed whilst enquiries continue.
  
  
• This morning, Monday 11^th December, a 69-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol at roadside checks on Newport Bridge.

Anyone who wishes to make a report regarding suspected drink or drug driving can contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Pictured: Checks being carried out in Middlesbrough throughout the Christmas drink and drug drive campaign