NEARLY 350 people were arrested across Essex were arrested last month by officers tackling drink and drug driving.

Throughout December, Essex Police's Roads Policing Unit officers supported the national drink drive campaign Operation Limit to tackle drink driving in particular, and to take dangerous drivers off the road in an effort to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured collisions in Essex.

A total of 339 people were arrested for drink or drug driving-related offences, an increase of nearly 13 percent on the 296 arrests made during the same period last year.

It appears the increase has been driven by an increase in drug driving arrests.

Inspector Emma Patterson said: "There is never an excuse for drink or drug driving, and we know it can have really serious consequences for the person drink or drug driving, or other road users.

"Throughout the month we carried out targeted patrols across the county, but our work doesn't stop just because Christmas is over.

"Throughout 2025 we will continue to work to take people who think it's acceptable to drive while under the influence, and put you in danger, off the roads."

During the Christmas period we worked with our partners at the Safer Essex Roads Partnership to encourage people to plan ahead and ensure they have safe option to get home.

Inspector Patterson continued: "Our partners at SERP have been asking you to be a festive friend by looking out for each other.

"And we shouldn't stop looking out for each other just because Christmas is over. Don't let your friend get behind the wheel after having drunk too much, instead be a friend by persuading them to find an alternative way to get home. Friends won't leave each other behind, they'll make sure everyone gets home safe.

"It's a great message, one that we support, because if you plan your journey home, right at the beginning of the night, you will be less tempted to drink and drive.

"It's a better option than being arrested and losing your licence."

Inspector Patterson added: "Driving under the influence means motorists take risks every time they get behind the wheel of a car. They put themselves and others at risk.

"Drink and drug driving ruins the lives of individuals and communities and it is completely avoidable.

"We'll be doing all we can to tackle drink driving but we'd ask the public to support us.

"If you know of, or suspect someone of drink or drug driving, let us know.

"We'll use that information to direct our patrols to identified "hotspots", to catch offenders and take them off our roads."