FOUR people in Hampshire have been arrested as part of a Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving.

It comes as officers from Hampshire's Roads Policing Unit stopped motorists in Southampton and East Hampshire as part of Operation Holly.

As a result, four arrests out of 90 checks were made by police for drug-impaired driving across two days, on December 18 and 22.

The operation is Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police’s joint partnership against drink and drug driving over the festive period.

Officers carried out 49 checks across the east of the county on December 18, from 8pm and midnight.

This led to four arrests on motorists that showed levels of cocaine or cannabis.

Police also found six insurance offences, four driving licence offences, three vehicles seized for licence or insurance offences, one possession of an offensive weapon, one mobile phone offence and one traffic light offence.

During the second day of action on December 22, officers stopped 41 vehicles across Southampton to find people who may be driving under the influence from the night before.

Officers carried out the checks between 9am and midday, however no arrests were made.

Inspector Steve Wakeford, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “Both operations were a great success.

“Our evening operation in East Hampshire enabled us to take suspected impaired drivers off the road, reducing the danger to other road users.

“Conversely, it is good news that no offences were detected in our ‘morning after’ operation.

“With only one day to go before Christmas, drivers need to remain responsible and sensible when it comes to their drinking and ensure they have made arrangements so that their, and most importantly, other people’s Christmas is not ruined.

“Our message is simple – it’s not worth the risk.

“If you suspect someone may be driving, or about to drive, while impaired through alcohol or drugs, I would urge you to call 101, or 999 if there is an immediate threat, as it may save someone’s life.”

Between December 1 and January 1, officers will carry out breath tests, drugs tests and field impairment tests "at every opportunity".