Crimestoppers is today launching a national campaign to encourage the public to speak up about drink driving.
In the past year the independent crime-fighting Charity received just under 6,000 calls about drink drivers across the UK. As a result 1,226 positive actions were taken by police and 244 individuals were arrested and charged.
In the Humberside force area alone (East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire) there were nearly 100 pieces of information received by Crimestoppers relating to drink driving April 2013-March14.
It is the second most reported crime type to Crimestoppers nationally behind drugs offences.
Many people may see their friends, family, work colleagues or neighbours regularly drink driving but do not want to go to the police because they fear being identified.
By contacting Crimestoppers you will remain completely anonymous. Calls cannot be tracked through the 0800 555 111 phone line and information passed online through the Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org is not traceable.
Now, in the lead up to Christmas, the Charity is urging anyone who has information about regular drink drivers to get in contact.
Roger Critchell, Director of Operations for Crimestoppers said: “Too many people lost their lives last year due to drink drive incidents. But, there are still people out there who regularly drink drive and refuse to change their behaviour.
“We want to make the roads a safer place for everyone and we would urge you to give information to Crimestoppers anonymously about anyone who is regularly drink driving.
“Crimestoppers never asks for your name or personal details, we cannot trace calls or track information given online and we do not record our calls. You will not have to give a statement to police or go to court. We don’t want to know who you are, just what you know. By taking action you could be helping to save a life – whether it’s the driver or an innocent victim”.
The campaign is being supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and THINK! the Department for Transport’s dedicated road safety website.
Frank Duffield, Chair of Humberside Crimestoppers, said “For some years now,
Humberside Crimestoppers have strongly supported the stance taken by Humberside Police. Driving under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs, or both, is simply dangerous and leads to death and destruction of people’s lives. It is totally unacceptable in today’s communities.
“Importantly, we are aware that members of the public are reluctant to make the call to the Police for fear of reprisals and retribution. The option that Crimestoppers provides is for people to call 0800 555 111 and give information in a totally anonymous way. The caller will not ask a caller’s name or record their number. They simply want to know what you know, not who you are, so if you have information – make the call.”
Barry Gardener, Humberside Police Casualty Reduction Officer, said: “Incidents of drink driving have remained fairly constant over the past five years due to the consistent approach and enforcement of our drink drive laws. No one should ever think that they might get away with it, I have attended many serious road traffic collisions caused by drink drivers and I can honestly say that it’s never worth the risk to drink and drive.
“I would remind drivers to beware the morning after. You could be over the legal limit many hours after your last drink, even if it’s the ‘morning after’. Having a sleep, drink lots of coffee or taking a cold shower do not help to sober you up. Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system. Don’t be tempted to get into your car after a night out.
“All Humberside Police Roads Policing officers are trained to detect drivers who are under the influence of drugs, there are a worryingly number of drivers now caught drug driving.”
If you have any information on those who regularly drink drive you can contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the online secure form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
If you see someone attempting to operate a vehicle whilst intoxicated please call 999 as this may require urgent police action.
To join in with the discussion follow Crimestoppers on Twitter @CrimestoppersUK or Facebook and use the hashtags of #WastedCS or #SmashedCS.
