Texters encouraged to use their phones to report drink-drivers

As part of this year’s Christmas anti drink and drug driving campaign people can text 65999 to make a report to police.

Last week, which was the first week of the campaign, more than 1,000 breath tests have been carried out and 27 arrests have been made.

Chief Inspector Di Roskilly of Sussex Police Road Policing Unit said: “We understand that in some circumstances it can be difficult to call police if you believe that someone is about to get into their car and drink or drug drive, especially if you know them personally.

“When someone sends a text to the 65999 it is treated by our control room in the same way as a 999 call.

“These texts may be reports from a patron or landlord at a pub who has just seen someone get into a car after drinking or a friend or relative concerned that a loved one may be drink or drug driving.

“To make sure we can make the best use of the information text to us we ask that as much information is included as possible.

“For example it would be helpful to include details about the time and date, where the person is driving from and where they are heading to, a number plate and the person’s name. All this information will help us to trace the driver.”

Anyone who would like to report drink or drug driving to police can contact 999 if the person is driving or about to drive or 101 if it is not imminent - for example a habitual drink-driver. People can also text 65999 or make a report through www.operationcrackdown.org

Watch a video of CI Roskilly talking about the campaign so far.