Three vehicles were involved in a road traffic collision on Warwick Road, Kenilworth at around 18.30hrs on Friday 4 December 2020. Thankfully only minor injuries were sustained by those involved.  However, one of the drivers of the vehicles involved was arrested after providing a positive breath specimen related to alcohol.

The accident happened as Warwickshire Police is supporting the National Police Chiefs Council campaign to target those driving under the influence of drink or drugs over the festive period.

Officers are also asking drivers to help support the NHS by not being tempted to drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

Over the two year period 2018 and 2019, drink was cited as a factor in 98 collisions in Warwickshire, resulting in two people losing their lives and many more suffering serious injuries.

The national statistics are even more stark with recent DfT figures showing that in 2018 an estimated 8,680 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink drive limit.

To put the risk into perspective, if you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road collision than a driver who hasn’t been drinking.

For 2019 there were 19 road traffic collisions where illegal or medicinal drugs, were cited as a causation factor and 2 fatalities. This is compared to 2018 when drugs were a causation factor in 10 road traffic collisions and 2 fatalities. This is a 100% increase in the number of collisions.

The number of arrests for drug driving has also increased. Between April and September 2020, 68 drivers were arrested for drug driving compared to the same period in 2019 when 59 people were arrested.

A police spokesperson said: “Taking drugs will also impair driving skills. Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect driving in numerous ways. Drug drivers can suffer from slower reaction times, erratic and aggressive behaviour, an inability to concentrate properly, nausea, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, tremors or ‘the shakes’, dizziness and fatigue.”

Warwickshire Police is also warning motorists who drink or drug drive, that the chances of being caught are high and are regularly punlicising details of those arrested.

Inspector Jem Mountford said: “With Covid-19, the campaign is even more important this year and all front line officers including Patrol, SNT, Vehicle Crime Teams and OPU will be using police powers to stop and test drivers for drink and drug driving. As well as detecting offenders, officers will be using the opportunity to help educate the public of the dangers of drink and drug driving.

“We will be looking for people at all times of the day and night. Just because you haven’t been out at the pub – drinking at home can still leave you over the limit the next morning and we will certainly be checking drivers then too.”

Officers are also asking the public to provide intelligence about anyone they believe may be drink or drug driving in Warwickshire to police by dialling 101. Reports can also be made anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

As December started Warwickshire Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team for Kenilworth were busy enforcing speed limits and checking drivers on Dalehouse Lane, Kenilworth. The activity follows a weekend that saw Warwickshire Police arrest six people across the county on suspicion of drink and drug driving offences:

A 30-year-old man from Coventry was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs after officers spotted a car being driven erratically in Longford Road, Exhall, (Coventry/Warwickshire border) on Friday afternoon. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A 32-year-old woman from Kempsey, Worcestershire was arrested and later charged with drink driving after officers spotted a car being driven erratically on the A444 near Bedworth in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A 27-year-old man from Rugby was arrested his home address following a collision near Technology Drive, Rugby earlier in the night. He was later charged with drink driving.

A 34-year-old woman from Brandon was arrested and later charged with drink driving and being drunk in charge of a child after officers stopped a car in Railway Terrace, Rugby on Saturday evening.

A 33-year-old woman from Radford Semele was arrested on suspicion of cocaine and child neglect after officers stopped a speeding car in Kenilworth Road near Leamington in the early hours of yesterday morning. Officers also investigating after it is alleged she left her children at home unattended. She remains in custody.

A 33-year-old man from Rugby was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of cocaine and possession of class A drugs following a single vehicle collision in Park Lane, Astley yesterday morning.

Warwickshire Police will continue to focus on driving, safety and crime issues as Christmas approaches. This morning (Tuesday 1 December 2020) Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team carried out speed and driver checks this morning.

As a result two drivers have received fixed penalty notices for doing 46 mph in a 30 mph zone. Members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team commented “This a ridiculous speed and almost certain to be fatal if the driver hits a pedestrian.”

Warwickshire Police have appealed to all drivers to watch their speed and keep it within the speed limit.

In support of the Christmas Drink Drive campaign breath tests were also carried out that, this morning, were all negative.

Kenilworth’s SNT said they wished to remind everyone that “If you’re caught you face up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a substantial driving ban. If you’re stopped by police this month expect to be breath-tested. If you know someone is drink driving please report to us! You could save a life.”

The Update from Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team has been published and is available on the download button here > ..

KENILWORTH WATCH would like to praise the professionalism and commitment of Warwickshire Police in respect of an incident that took place earlier today in Stratford upon Avon and is linked to a robbery that took place yesterday at Clarkes Avenue, Kenilworth.

Two people have been arrested following police pursuit in Stratford upon Avon earlier today (26 November 2020). A man and a woman were arrested in Stratford on Thursday morning following a police pursuit which ended with a vehicle crashing in Windsor Street.

Warwickshire Police confirmed that officers undertook a ‘tactical pursuit and containment manoeuvre’ on the vehicle, which was suspected to have been involved in a robbery that took place yesterday afternoon just before 3.45pm on Clarkes Avenue, Kenilworth.

It’s reported three suspects in a silver VW Passat followed a van, and two of them then got out and threatened the driver. Two of the suspects then got into the victim’s van and drove off in it, with the VW Passat also leaving the scene. One of the suspects was believed to be holding a baseball bat.

Following this morning’s incident in Stratford, a 28-year-old man and an 22-year-old woman were arrested.

If anyone witnessed the incident in Kenilworth or any suspicious behaviour in the area, has any dashcam/CCTV footage or may have seen the stolen van (a white Ford Transit with the registration of NC57 LLK) please call Warwickshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 208 of 25 November 2020. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please be aware that between 1515hrs and 1530hrs on Wednesday 25 November 2020 four white male offenders wearing black face masks got out of a silver VW Passat motor vehicle and approached a white Ford Transit van that was delivering parcels for a parcel delivery company at it stopped at Clarkes Avenue, Kenilworth to make a delivery.

It is believed that the offenders loitered and followed the vehicle from Whites Row, Kenilworth.

The driver was threatened and told to get out of the loaded vehicle. The vehicle was then stolen. The direction of travel is not known.

This is incident 208 of 25 November 2020

If you think you may have seen or heard anything suspicious, have any information or have CCTV that may show activity related to this incident please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111