A suspected drink driver has been arrested by police as they begin their annual Christmas crackdown. 

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers arrested the driver last night, December 12, in Halliwell. 

A spokesperson for Bolton North said: "Officers from the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have arrested two people in Halliwell this evening.

"The first arrest came after officers stopped a vehicle due to the manner of driving. The driver was arrested on suspicion of drink drive and remains in custody. 

"The second arrest came after officers located a female who was wanted for failing to appear at court in November 2022. The female is now in custody and will be taken to court in the morning." 

The arrest of the alleged drink driver comes as part of GMP's longstanding 'None for the Road' campaign, which is aimed at curbing driving under the influence over the Christmas period. 

Drink and drug driving increases over the Christmas period as people head out to socialise and attend gatherings. 

Latest Department for Transport figures show fatalities from drink-drive crashes are at a 12-year high. 

AA Charitable Trust director Edmund King said: “Just one drink can be enough to put you over the drink-drive limit, and even if you are within the limit, it can still affect your judgment and ability to drive safely.

“We need drivers to hang up these excuses for good. Drinking and driving simply do not mix – if you are doing one, then you shouldn’t do the other.

“Drivers risk more than just a fine or losing their licence when they drink-drive. Every year hundreds of people needlessly die on our roads because of drunk drivers.

“Everyone wants to enjoy Christmas. Don’t let your ‘only one’ drink be your last.”

An estimated 260 people were killed in collisions on Britain’s roads involving a driver over the alcohol limit in 2021 – the highest annual total since 2009. 

On Monday, December 11, police made further arrests in Horwich on two 'males', one for breaching licence conditions and the other for failing to appear at court. 

The second man was also suspected to have been found in possession of a class A drug. 

A spokesperson for GMP's Bolton West Neighbourhood Team said: "Last night, Monday, December 11, officers from the Horwich neighbourhood team arrested two wanted males.

"One male was arrested in Horwich as he was wanted on a recall to prison following breaching licence conditions.

"A further male was arrested in Deane for failing to appear at court and was found to be in possession of a controlled substance suspected to be a Class A drug so will face further prosecution for this offence.

"If you have any information regarding a wanted person you can report via phone on 101 or via the GMP website. Alternatively you can report anonymously via crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the crime stoppers website."