GREATER Manchester Police say there was a 10pc fall in the number of drink drivers arrested in the county over Christmas.

The figures come despite an alarming number of arrests in Bolton, which, as reported in yesterday's BEN, recorded a 27pc INCREASE on last year during the same period.

Throughout Greater Manchester, 324 drivers were arrested in the two weeks around Christmas compared with 361 last year.

Supt John Edwards, head of GMP traffic management said: "There has been a great deal of emphasis placed on the dangers of drinking and driving and more and more people accept that they should not endanger the lives of their family and friends. However there are still those that are prepared to take this risk - this is still too many."

Over the fortnight in Greater Manchester there were 406 accidents involving injuries on the roads and five people were killed.

While not all involved drink, 63 drivers were arrested after providing a positive breath test.

"This is an appalling level of offending which is still too high and we shall continue to be active throughout the year in our efforts to reduce the incidence of this irresponsible, anti-social behaviour," said Supt Edwards.

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