ALMOST a quarter of drivers arrested during a Cheshire Police drink and drug-driving sting were caught in the Macclesfield policing area, which encompasses Knutsford and Wilmlsow.

More than 250 people are facing driving bans following the operation, which ran throughout June, with 71 of these offences in Macclesfield and a further 18 on the motorway network.

Officers from the force’s Roads Policing Unit carried out additional checks on roads across the county, arresting121 people for drink driving and 131 on suspicion of driving under the influence of illegal drugs.

The figures compare to 141 arrests for drink driving and 73 arrests for drug driving in June 2016, with all of those arrested now likely to face driving bans and large fines.

In Macclesfield, which also includes Congleton and Poynton, there were 25 arrests for drink driving and 46 for drug driving - each the highest figure across the constabulary.

The number of drug driving offences in the Macclesfield area was double that of the second highest area, Crewe. Warrington saw the second most drink driving arrests, with 23.

Supt Martin Cleworth, head of the Cheshire Police Task Force called the results ‘disappointing’.

He said: “The dangers of both drink and drug driving are well known – it affects your reaction time, making it harder for you to judge your speed, judge your distance between you and other vehicles and notice potential hazards.

All of those arrested as part of this operation will now have to face the consequences of their actions, which will have a significant impact on both their personal and professional lives.”

All roads policing officers in Cheshire are equipped with both alcohol testing kits and drugs wipes, which instantly detect whether a driver is under the influence.