Reward to 'shop' drink drivers

Police say they have been "inundated" by informants

Callers who "shop" drink-driving friends could be given a reward of up to £500 as part of police force's Christmas safety campaign.

A spokesman from Thames Valley Police said they had been "inundated" with inquiries since they urged people to tell on motorists who may be over the limit.

If information leads to a conviction, people who ring in could earn up to £500 from an anti-crime charity.

Police hope the move will help catch "arrogant" drivers who think they can evade the law.

Thames Valley Police (TVP), which covers Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, has launched the campaign.

A spokesman for the force said: "We have had a tremendous number of calls and we are referring people to the Crimestoppers hotline."

Inspector Dave Hartin, head of the force's roads policing and intelligence unit, said: "These people are arrogant enough to believe they will not be caught.

"I have to tell them we will be making every effort to prove them wrong."

Party pooping

Drink drivers lose their licence for at least a year, while options including imprisonment are available for serious cases or repeat offenders.

Superintendent Norman Bartlett, head of TVP's roads policing department, said: "It is not our intention to spoil anyone's enjoyment - quite the contrary.

"Using our intelligence-led strategy, the only people that have anything to fear from our deliberately robust approach are those who flout the law."

The money for the reward will come from the Community Action Trust, the charity which provides the cash for Crimestoppers.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or to call 999 if they witness a drink driving offence as it happens.