A POLICE clampdown on drink drivers in Mid Cheshire has resulted in a string of offenders appearing before magistrates.

More than a dozen defendants were listed to appear at Vale Royal Magistrates Court on Thursday, and police say they are a handful of those caught in Northwich and Winsford for drink- and drug-driving over the Christmas period.

An initiative ran from December 3 to January 3, targeting those who ignore the warnings at a time of year the number of drink-drivers on the road often increases.

Extra patrols and stop check powers were utilised in an attempt to “enforce the drink-drive message”. But police are dismayed by the number of offences.

Traffic Sgt Rachel Gallagher said: “It’s disappointing the number of arrests we’ve made for both drink and drug-driving. It seems people just aren’t heeding the warnings.

“We traditionally see an increase in these types of offences and there was more positive breath tests this year than ever before.”

Equally worrying, said Sgt Gallagher, is the number of offenders driving while on “hardcore drugs” such as cocaine, speed and heroin.

Police say a more encouraging statistic is the increasing number of calls from worried colleagues, friends and family members reporting a drink driver.

Official figures detailing the number of arrests of motorists over the festive period will be released later this month.