CHESHIRE Constabulary has launched its anti-drink-drive campaign which will run throughout Christmas and New Year.

The initiative brings together the areas where officers see alcohol influencing the behaviour of those involved in a crime or anti-social behaviour.

Assistant Chief Constable Janette McCormick said: “Policing activity over the Christmas period will give particular emphasis to crimes and anti-social behaviour where we know alcohol plays a part.

“The Good, The Bad and the Ugly campaign is designed to show members of the public the effects of alcohol on behaviour and how that behaviour manifests itself on the streets, and in our communities over Christmas.

“It is not our intention to stop people having a good time and our officers on the streets often meet with Christmas party revellers who are on a night out. Most of the time in Cheshire they do not cause any problems to other members of local communities and officers have good interaction with them.

“However, where we find a problem related to alcohol, local communities can be reassured that we will address it with our partners.

“If we find licensees are putting profits above personal safety by serving people who are very drunk or retailers who are not checking the ages of those people who purchase alcohol.

“Finally, if alcohol affects behaviour to an extent where things really get ugly officers will bring those responsible to justice.

Alcohol can not be used as an excuse for bad and ugly behaviour.

“We do not just deal with offenders whose behaviour is influenced by alcohol; we often deal with victims where alcohol has clouded their judgment in a particular situation.

“They can find themselves being a victim of rape or sexual assault. Our traffic officers regularly spend time dealing with drivers involved in collisions who are over the drink-drive limit and local community officers spend considerable time dealing with calls about alcohol related anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking.

In addition, nationally, alcohol is a contributory factor in at least half of domestic abuse cases.”

Cheshire Constabulary’s message is clear this Christmas – officers and staff will be taking tough action against those who use alcohol as an excuse for committing violence, causing injury, drinking and driving or getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

Assistant Chief Constable McCormick added: “Overindulgence in alcohol this Christmas can lead to a ‘bad’ experience for you, if you become the victim of a crime. For those people whose behaviour is really ‘ugly’, a criminal record will be their only Christmas present this year.”