OFFICERS have been busy making arrests for drink driving and clamping down on drug drivers as part of its Christmas campaign.

A total of 22 breath tests were carried out in Bracknell as part of Operation Holly, of which one was positive and three drug tests also showed one to be positive.

READ THIS: Police report multiple burglaries taking place in Bracknell in last three months

For the Thames Valley, 1,049 breath tests were carried out across of which 67 were positive and out of 80 drug wipes carried out, 44 were positive.

The police campaign began on Sunday, December, 1, to Wednesday, January, 1 in which officers carried out breath tests, drug tests and field impairment tests, working to deter any motorists thinking about driving while impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs.

Tests also show that in 2019, the number of people killed on the roads has fallen across the Thames Valley.

The force attended 58 fatal collisions compared to 80 the year before.

Sergeant Scott Kerr, road safety sergeant for Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, said: "It is encouraging to see that the majority of people we stopped were not over the legal drink drive limit, however 6 per cent of breath tests came back as positive.

“This is still 6 per cent too many.

ALSO READ: Family pays tribute to Tom Oldman killed in A332 crash

“Of the drug tests carried out, there was an increase in the percentage of those coming back positive – 55 per cent this year.

“The smallest amount of drugs or alcohol in your body can impair your ability to drive. It is not worth the risk. Please do not consume any drink or drugs before driving."

Operation Holly also found the age group with the highest number of positive tests for drink driving was between 25 – 34 years and for drug driving it was 17–24 years.

Furthermore, 2019 saw an increase in the number of people arrested for drink/drug driving.

In 2018, there were 3,176 arrests with this number rising to 3,576 in 2019.

READ MORE: Honda Jazz catalytic converter thefts police warning in Bracknell and Wokingham

Sgt Kerr added: “It is also crucial to think about the morning after.

"It can take hours for alcohol to leave your system after drinking and so even the morning after it may not be safe for you to drive. Equally, some illegal drugs can stay in your system for a considerable amount of time.

“If you know someone who drink or drug drives, you can help by reporting this to us on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.”