Mobile jail used to catch drink drivers

It is the only one of its kind in the country

A mobile prison is being used by a police force to crack down on drink drivers in the run up to Christmas.

Staffordshire police are using the mobile custody block every day over Christmas and the New Year to catch drink drivers.

Police say one in seven of the people killed on the roads in the UK are involved in drink-related accidents.

The block - which is the only one if its kind in the country - helps to speed up the process of breathalysing and interviewing suspected drink drivers.

We're hoping that by using this high profile unit we are reinforcing the message to the public

Sgt Russ Cartlidge

At present drivers who fail roadside breath tests have to be taken to the station for a second breath test.

Results of roadside breath tests cannot be used in evidence in a court case against the driver so a second test has to be carried out at the station.

But the new mobile jail allows police to carry out the two tests quickly, interview any suspects and hold them in one of the 18 cells on board for up to six hours.

Sergeant Russ Cartlidge, from Staffordshire police, said they would be using the block day and night over Christmas and the new year.

He said: "The unit allows us to go anywhere in the county and helps to reduce the amount of time officers are involved in catching drink drivers giving them more time to patrol.

"We're hoping that by using this high profile unit we are reinforcing the message to the public."