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Crack down on drug driving
A total of 46 suspected drug drivers were arrested in
Sefton by Merseyside Police in March as part of a joint initiative with Sefton
Council. Merseyside Police has been working in partnership with the Council to
tackle the issue of road safety around drug use and carried out a total of 70
drug wipe tests throughout the month, 46 positive tests resulting in arrest. The
cost of the wipes, which are used to detect if a driver is under the influence
of controlled drugs, was met by Sefton Council as part of the Sefton Safer
Communities Partnership. Throughout the force as a whole 114 people were
arrested during March on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
Merseyside Police Inspector Andy Bragg of the Sefton Targeted team said:-
"These figures show the importance of taking a multi agency approach to tackling
road safety, but also the excellent commitment of our officers in removing these
drivers from our roads, undoubtedly reducing a significant risk to the public.
For the past seventeen months our drug wipes have been funded by Sefton Safer
Communities Partnership, who continue to support the Targeting Team by
purchasing our drug wipes since their introduction in late 2015, with ₤10,000
being invested so far." The funding has so far seen 362 drug wipe tests
on the roads in Sefton resulting in 195 arrests based on positive results. Of
those arrested 75% already had a criminal background. It has already resulted in
driving bans totalling 135 years, 36 months in prison sentences and 850 hours in
unpaid community work. Inspector Bragg added:- "This proves what a
valuable partnership we have with Sefton Council in our drive against people who
are prepared to risk driving their vehicles under the influence of drugs. To
help us recoup or costs we are also applying to the Courts for the cost of the
drug wipes to be recovered from the offender on conviction." A spokesman
for Sefton Council said:- "Through the Sefton Safer Communities
Partnership funding was made available for this important piece of partnership
working. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause massive
consequences on our communities and through this initiative many drivers have
been taken off the roads. It is very simple, drugs and driving just don't mix." |
