THE number of motorists arrested during a summer drink driving campaign launched by Greater Manchester Police has brought little cheer to senior officers.

Despite the fact the figure was marginally down on 1997, GMP say the drop was only "minimal."

However, a Bury police chief has warned the campaign will be maintained to end the misery which drink driving causes.

The summer drink drive campaign, which was carried out during the last month, resulted in almost 600 arrests force-wide.

Significantly, say police, ten per cent of those detained had been involved in an accident.

In Bury the figures for the period, from July 1-31, resulted in 39 people being arrested for drink driving offences. Three were detained after accidents. Inspector John Sargeson of Bury police divisional traffic unit said: "While this was a specific initiative for the month of July, this is a campaign we concentrate on all year round.

"We will target drink drivers for the rest of the year because of the misery this problem causes."

Commenting on the 39 arrests, he added: "It's unacceptable and a sad reflection on people's habits."

Meanwhile, commenting on Greater Manchester figures as a whole, Force Road Safety Officer, Inspector Brian Ritson said there was no comfort to be drawn from these statistics.

"The reduction is minimal and it shows that there are an awful lot of people who still feel it is acceptable to drink and drive, who underestimate the effects of alcohol on themselves or who simply do not care who they kill or injure.

"While these attitudes exist, we will continue to target those who behave so irresponsibly."

GMP say drinking and driving continues to be an issue under debate with recent discussion on the blood alcohol limit and police powers much in the news.

More than 500 people are killed every year by drivers who are over the limit.

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