Police have released chilling footage of drink drivers as they are being arrested while unsteady on their feet, slurring words – and even attempting to carry on boozing.
In one clip, released by the force, a clearly intoxicated man is seen grasping an open bottle of Staropramen beer while standing outside Lees Garden Chinese takeaway in Headcorn High Street, shortly after 1pm on New Year’s Day.
It follows reports a car had collided with several parked vehicles in a supermarket car park, and that the driver was drunk and had left the scene to buy more alcohol.
As the man is being arrested, on suspicion of being “unfit through drink”, he then slurs his words as he blurts “what’s this?” when quizzed by police, to which the officer replies: “What’s this? You’ve been arrested.”
The drunk man then proceeds to try and take another swig of his beer before being prevented from doing so by the policeman.
The suspect, aged 47 from West Yorkshire, was arrested after failing a roadside breath test. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
It comes as more than 300 people were arrested in Kent for driving under the influence of drink or drugs during a month-long police operation over the Christmas and New Year period.
More than 300 people were arrested in Kent for driving under the influence of drink or drugs during a month-long police operation. Picture: Kent Police
In another clip shared by the force, officers come across a car that had collided with railings off North Dane Way, Chatham at around 12.40am on Sunday, December 22.
The driver, a 43-year-old from Gillingham, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and later bailed pending further inquiries.
The further footage shows, at around 10.35pm on New Year’s Day, officers stopping a car that was allegedly seen swerving on the A2 near Gravesend.
The driver failed a roadside drug test and was also found to be in possession of cannabis. He was arrested and later bailed pending further inquiries.
Between December 1 and January 1 a total of 316 arrests were made in total.
Chief Inspector Craig West of Kent Police said: “Throughout the course of this enforcement campaign my officers arrested motorists for a variety of different reasons.
“Some were surprised at being over the limit, others were still drunk from the night before and there were also those who could barely stand and were quite clearly in no fit state to control a motor vehicle.
“The one thing they all had in common was that they should not have been driving and by doing so they were putting themselves and other road users in danger.
“Whilst this was only a month-long initiative to raise awareness in the run-up to Christmas, tackling drink and drug driving is a year-round commitment for Kent Police.
“My officers are on patrol across the county every day and do not hesitate to stop any vehicles they consider to be being driven in an unsafe manner.
“Our message is simple. If you are planning to drive then please do not drink alcohol or take drugs before you do, as you risk being arrested or causing a serious collision with tragic consequences.”