POLICE have reacted angrily after an increase in the number of people arrested for drink-driving on roads in York and North Yorkshire during the Christmas and New Year period.

"This is not good enough, and we won't tolerate this kind of behaviour," said Inspector Chris Charlton, of the force's road policing unit, after revealing that 90 arrests were made during the holiday, compared with 85 during the same period last year.

"We won't stand for it, and the overwhelming majority of the people we serve won't stand for it - no one is prepared to tolerate an arrogant minority who think they have the right to jeopardise other people's safety," he said.

The North Yorkshire Police festive drink-drive campaign ran from December 13 to January 2, and 70 stop checks were operated throughout the area. Extra patrols were mounted, and officers breathalysed every driver involved in an accident.

Insp Charlton said: "This particular campaign is over, but there are plenty more lined up. North Yorkshire's drink-drive campaign has become a 24/7 operation punctuated by intensive blitzes."

He said:

A total of 1,231 drivers were tested after collisions, after committing moving traffic offences, or where officers suspected they had been drinking

A total of 105 drivers were breath-tested after 79 accidents in which someone was injured and 13 of them (12.3 per cent) were arrested

A total of 90 drivers were arrested for providing positive tests, failing to provide a breath sample, or refusing to carry out a breath test. That is 7.3 per cent of those breath-tested. Last year, 85 out of 1,821 tested were arrested.

The Evening press reported in December that only one drink had the potential to put drivers behind bars - even if they were below the legal alcohol limit. Officers were prepared to arrest motorists who were not driving to an acceptable standard and charge them with being unfit to drive.

Insp Charlton said: "Fewer tests, but more failures. That is very disappointing.

"It is true that our latest operation has been extremely focused in terms of targeting offenders, so we have a higher strike rate - but it could also mean that more drivers have been taking the risk.

"I do hope that is not what has happened but, just in case, this force will be continuing to take a hard line with anyone who combines alcohol and driving."

Updated: 10:11 Wednesday, January 05, 2005