MORE than ten suspected drink or drug drivers per day have been arrested as part of a Christmas campaign.

Between December 1 and Christmas Eve, Essex Police arrested 110 people on suspicion of drink driving, 99 on suspicion of drug driving, and 24 on suspicion of failing to provide a specimen making a total of 233.

Insp Rob Brettell, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “These numbers are shocking and show we’re arresting an average of 10 people a day.

“Part of this will be due to the amount of information we get from the public, part of it will be down to the fact we’re better equipped than ever to detect drug drivers, but sadly part of it is because people still think it’s worth taking the risk.

“Many of the people we arrest on suspicion of drink driving are only going a short distance.

"They think because they’re not travelling very far they don’t pose a risk and they won’t get caught.

“That is totally wrong and that mindset is utterly reckless.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re going one mile, 10 miles, or 100 miles – if you get behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs, you could end up killing yourself or someone else.

“If you’re travelling to see friends or family over the next few days – no matter how far you going – please don’t drink or drug drive.

“These figures also show that drug driving remains as much an issue at Christmas time as during the rest of the year.

“We’re better equipped than ever to detect drug drivers so there really is no place to hide.

“Our message is simple – this Christmas drive safe, drive sober because we don’t want you to find out how it feels to deal with the consequences of drink or drug driving.”

If you have any information about a drink or drug driver call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.