RESIDENTS are being asked to inform on drink drivers to the police in a bid to reduce the number of road deaths caused by the offenders.

North Yorkshire Police ran a campaign over Christmas whereby locals were asked to identify drink drivers leading to a number of arrests.

Over the past five years 30 people have been killed and nearly 800 injured on North Yorkshire’s roads due to drink drivers.

The police are now stressing that the fight to catch drink drivers is not confined to Christmas and will continue in the New Year.

Inspector Dave Brown, head of road policing for North Yorkshire Police, said: "Drink driving is an offence that we find totally unacceptable.

"It needlessly costs innocent lives and we are focused 12 months a year on reducing the number of casualties caused by drink drivers on the roads.

"The public can really help us with identifying and catching drink drivers. Their assistance was greatly appreciated during the festive campaign and led to a number of arrests.

"I am hoping that the community will continue to supply us with good quality intelligence about people they suspect of driving while under the influence.

"If you think you know a drink driver let us know, we will act on it and it could save a life.

"If you are caught you will be put before the courts and be banned or, depending on the nature of the offence, be given a custodial sentence."

The police can be contacted on 0845-6060-247 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.