Officers enforcing the Christmas drink and drug drive campaign in North Yorkshire and the City of York have warned that it is only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured by an over-the-limit driver.

Police arrested 23 people on suspicion of drink or drug driving over the weekend, taking the total number of arrests to 67 since the campaign began on 1 December.

37 of those people have been charged with drink driving offences and many of those face losing their licences before Christmas.

Officers have now breathalysed 2380 people as they patrol the roads in the force area looking for drivers willing to flout the law and put lives at risk during the festive season.

Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “It seems that quite a number of people thought they could get away with drink or drug driving over the weekend.

“To arrest 23 people over the course of one weekend is very concerning, but thankfully we are catching people before they cause some serious damage to themselves or another road user.

“It is only a matter of time before a drink or drug driver kills or seriously injures someone. I am urging people to stop taking the risk before it is too late and lives are unnecessarily ruined.”

Despite the high number of arrests, officers have been encouraged by the support of the public who are willing to help them keep drink drivers off the road by calling in with information about people who they suspect of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

Intelligence from the community is a vital part of the campaign and helps the police to target specific areas and people in order to keep the roads safe this Christmas.

TS Stringer added: “It is important to stress that the vast majority of people are responsible and realise that drink driving is completely unacceptable in our society.

“Some of these people have been really helpful to our campaign this year by providing us with certain information that helps us to target drink or drug drivers more methodically and effectively.

“It is crucial that we keep getting this information which is potentially helping us to save lives on a daily basis.”

If you would like to report someone you suspect of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 1 – and pass information to the Force Control Room.

If you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Follow @NYorksPolice on Twitter for the latest updates on the Christmas drink and drug drive campaign #drinkdrive.