NEARLY 16,000 motorists were stopped but the number of arrests fell during this year’s Christmas drink-drive campaign across Cambridgeshire.

Officers stopped 15,946 motorists and arrested 102 people, compared to 110 arrests in 2011.

In 2011, more than 5,000 motorists were stopped.

The Cambridgeshire Police Christmas campaign ran from December 1 until December 31.

PC 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.”