Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary’s Joint Operations Unit made a total of 800 arrests across both force areas as part of Operation Limit, our annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign.
From 1 December to 31 December 2025, officers carried out targeted activity in order to stop drivers under the influence of drink and drugs. Our enforcement is intelligence-led, targeting hotspots and known offenders and we now have highly effective roadside testing for both alcohol and drugs.
Across both force areas, 800 arrests were made, with 469 of those being made in the Thames Valley alone.
Consequences and penalties are severe for driving under the influence. They include driving bans, fines, criminal convictions and imprisonment.
These consequences affect not just the driver, they can have a lasting impact on family, employment and future opportunities.
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Thomas, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “Operation Limit is carried out during the festive period every year and it’s disappointing to see that people are still getting behind the wheel when under the influence of drink and/or drugs.
“We see too often the devastating consequences that can result from this behaviour, and I am pleased that we have managed to make so many arrests and prevent the potential harm that can be caused by drink and drug drivers.
“Our priority is to make the roads safer for everyone and we’d ask the public to help us do this by challenging anyone you think may be about to drive having drank alcohol or used drugs.
“Even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs can impact on your driving. It’s not worth the risk.”
Full breakdown of statistics are:
Thames Valley Police:
Drink-driving arrests – 209
Drug-driving arrests – 260
Total - 469
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary:
Drink-driving arrests – 146
Drug-driving arrests – 185
Total – 331
Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary’s Joint Operations Unit made a total of 800 arrests across both force areas as part of Operation Limit, our annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign.
From 1 December to 31 December 2025, officers carried out targeted activity in order to stop drivers under the influence of drink and drugs. Our enforcement is intelligence-led, targeting hotspots and known offenders and we now have highly effective roadside testing for both alcohol and drugs.
Across both force areas, 800 arrests were made, with 469 of those being made in the Thames Valley alone.
Consequences and penalties are severe for driving under the influence. They include driving bans, fines, criminal convictions and imprisonment.
These consequences affect not just the driver, they can have a lasting impact on family, employment and future opportunities.
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Thomas, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “Operation Limit is carried out during the festive period every year and it’s disappointing to see that people are still getting behind the wheel when under the influence of drink and/or drugs.
“We see too often the devastating consequences that can result from this behaviour, and I am pleased that we have managed to make so many arrests and prevent the potential harm that can be caused by drink and drug drivers.
“Our priority is to make the roads safer for everyone and we’d ask the public to help us do this by challenging anyone you think may be about to drive having drank alcohol or used drugs.
“Even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs can impact on your driving. It’s not worth the risk.”
Full breakdown of statistics are:
Thames Valley Police:
Drink-driving arrests – 209
Drug-driving arrests – 260
Total - 469
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary:
Drink-driving arrests – 146
Drug-driving arrests – 185
Total – 331
