Op Limit sees 271 drink and drug driving arrests in Lancashire

Dear Resident,

We wanted to give you an update following Operation Limit - a focused drink and drug driving campaign we ran in December and into the new year.

Police officers across Lancashire used a combination of roadside stops and intelligence-led, targeted policing to find and arrest offenders.

82 were arrested for driving with excess alcohol, while 124 were arrested for excess drugs. This follows a similar pattern to last year’s stats, when 97 were arrested for excess alcohol while 129 were arrested for excess drugs.

Offences ranged from driving with excess alcohol to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit though drink or drugs. Some arrests were also due to offenders failing to provide a breath test.

There were 45 arrests between 29 December 2025 and 01 January 2026. This is an 18% increase from the same period last year, when 38 people were arrested.

The legal limit for alcohol in England is 35mg per 100ml of breath. Officers performed 648 breath tests during Operation Limit this year. Just some of the high-measuring breath tests include:

Any amount of alcohol or drugs impacts your ability to drive safety. It’s safest to simply avoid drink or drugs before getting behind the wheel.

Chief Inspector John Jennings-Wharton, of the force’s roads policing unit, said:

“Many people will find this number of arrests shocking, and I agree with them. Having been a family liaison officer myself, I understand the trauma and devastation that road traffic collisions cause.

“To think that people willingly impair their driving with drink or drugs is truly appalling. It shows a total disregard for the law and for the safety of other road users. Offenders put not only themselves but countless others at risk.

“While these arrest figures are shocking, they are slightly lower than they were last year. Regardless, I’m not naïve to the fact that offenders are continuing to drive on Lancashire’s roads after drinking or taking drugs. My message to those people is this: we will find you and arrest you. 

“We are often asked why we only do these checks for drink and drug driving over the Christmas period. That’s simply not the case. Our officers target this type of offending all year round. Christmas is simply one of two peaks we’ve historically seen, the other falling in summer.

“I want to reassure the public that we will continue to relentlessly detect and arrest drink/drug drivers with all the powers available to us as police officers. One more drug/drink-related death or serious injury on our roads is simply too many.

“This December, there have been 3 fatalities and 9 life-changing or life-threatening collisions on Lancashire’s roads – 5 of those, almost half, are being investigated for impaired driving. That’s 5 families that have been devested this Christmas which were completely avoidable. Enough is enough. Think before you drive.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:

“Every year, I'm shocked and disappointed to see the number of people that selfishly get behind the wheel of a car whilst impaired.

"Drink or drug driving is unacceptable, but sadly it’s clear that too many people choose to ignore the dangers that come with it and put lives at risk. Whilst this is a particular concern around the festive period, we know it is a problem that requires strong enforcement all-year round.

“It's a selfish choice to make, and I am pleased to the see the proactive approach taken by Lancashire Constabulary and it is welcome that whilst these numbers are shocking, it is lower than last year's Op Limit enforcement.

“But one person putting themselves and others in danger is one too many, and I will continue to work closely with the Constabulary and support targeted operations like Op Limit to arrest offenders and keep Lancashire’s roads safe.”

If you witness a drink or drug driver, you can report them to Lancashire Police anonymously via their online form or to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

If the person is about to drive, always call 999.

Your call could save lives.

For more information about Operation Limit, visit Op Limit | Lancashire Constabulary