THE number of motorists arrested for drink driving in Cambridgeshire throughout December was down on the previous year - and the figures have been welcomed by the police.

A record number of 15,946 drivers were stopped as part of the month long police drink drive campaign - with 102 arrested.

Figures just released show that 28 motorists were arrested in Fenland and Huntingdon, compared with 37 in 2011. Back in December 2011, more than 5,000 motorists were stopped during the police drink drive campaign in Cambridgeshire, and 110 were arrested.

Steve Gedny, casualty reduction officer, said: “While it’s encouraging to see fewer drivers arrested than last year, sadly any arrest is one too many.

“It appears our message is getting through, but it is always disappointing to see that there are still a number of motorists who think it is acceptable to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs.

“This year we carried out more stop checks than ever before and 1,143 breath tests were carried out. Not only were drivers being stopped as part of our Christmas drink drive campaign, but also during routine daily patrols and at incidents.

“This work was not just about enforcement but reminding motorists that officers are on the roads 24/7 as a deterrent to those contemplating driving under the influence.

“Although the campaign is over, our work will continue as we strive to make the roads safer and I would ask drivers to think about the potentially devastating consequences of drink driving, such as serious injury or even death.”