More than 150 people have already been arrested for driving under the influence of drink or drugs as part of Operation Tonic, the police's annual Christmas crackdown. Officers operate every day, mornings and evenings, with measures including stop checks and community engagement.
While these activities can be resource-intensive for Sergeant Matthew Boiles, whose three-officer team is responsible for dealing with incidents and criminal activity on the region's roads, he believes it’s a critical part of the police’s work which can have far-reaching positive impacts that aren’t always calculable.
Avon and Somerset Police's Operation Tonic, which seen 169 people arrested since November 21, isn't the only safety campaign the force runs. They target a different hazard each month throughout the year to highlight dangers such as not wearing seatbelts or mobile phone usage. December’s focus is drink driving, for obvious reasons. With the Christmas party season coinciding with the World Cup this year, the operation started early.
