Drink and drug-driving warning issued to pub goers after Blisthorpe arrests
The warm weather or World Cup are no excuse to drink-and-drive – That's the message from police after a trio of suspects were arrested in Bilsthorpe.
Officers were called to the village following multiple separate reports of cars being driven by people under the influence.
Police firstly attended Allandale, around 6.30pm on Saturday (20 June), having heard a vehicle was being driven erratically.
Believing the driver could be under the influence, officers located both the car and a suspect, who duly failed a roadside breathalyser test.
The 54-year-old woman was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
Fast-forward to Sunday (21 June) night and police made more arrests in Bilsthorpe, following reports two cars had been driven away from a pub by people who had been drinking.
Both vehicles were found, around 10pm, as were two suspects – a 42-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman – who duly failed breathalyser tests.
The suspects were each arrested for drink-driving, with the man further arrested for drug-driving, after a drugs wipe revealed traces of cocaine in his system.
For Inspector Charlotte Ellam, Newark and Sherwood's District Commander, the weekend's arrests summed up a trend often seen by police at this time of the year.
"We know that, as the summer starts and the weather gets hotter, more people will go to the pub for a drink, which is no problem whatsoever," she said.
"What isn't okay – and never will be acceptable – is when people do this but then decide to get behind the wheel while under the influence.
"As I say, more people will meet out for a drink as it gets warmer, and especially at the moment with the World Cup going on, but I want to make it absolutely clear that drink and drug-driving will not be tolerated.
"Driving while under the influence puts the safety of everyone – including the person behind the wheel – at risk, so cannot be allowed to happen, for any reason.
"If you are thinking of going out for a drink, don't drive but book a taxi, get a bus, or ask someone for a lift instead.
"As shown by the three arrests made over the weekend, our officers will respond to any reports of this nature we receive and will take action should we suspect impaired driving is taking place.
“Drink or drug-driving is selfish, reckless and has the potential to ruin lives, so I'd encourage anyone who suspects this is taking place to do the right thing and report it to the police via 101."