Two off-duty policemen were among more than 600 motorists arrested for suspected drink-driving in Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year, it was revealed today.
Police said the officers had been caught as part of a campaign to catch drivers who are unfit to get behind the wheel or who refused to give a sample.
Superintendent Bill Brown, head of the Police Service's road policing development branch said: "There is no hiding place for those who drink and drive."
The overall number of detections since police launched their winter anti-drink driving campaign on November 23 was 609, up 57 on the same period last year.
Superintendent Brown said: "The message from the police is simple. If you drink and drive then there is a good chance that you will be caught. And that chance is increasing all the time.
He added: "It is disappointing that during the festive season 609 people decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking.
"The vast majority of right thinking people realise that drink driving is shameful and unacceptable. However, there seems to be an irresponsible minority who ignore all advice and warnings. That is why the detection of drink driving is a priority for the police — indeed an all year round priority."
PA