POLICE continue to crack down on drink drivers arresting 143 people in the first 15 days.

In the latest update from police on their Christmas drink-drive campaign they revealed the highest reading taken since December 1 was on Friday.

Police said the highest reading taken so far was from a High Wycombe driver last week which was more than four times over the limit.

The ‘Is it worth the risk?’ campaign has seen 121 men and 22 women arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

There has been a five per cent increase in arrests of men (up from 115 this time last year) and a 24 per cent reduction in arrests of women (down from 29 last year).

In total, 73 of the arrested people have been charged, with 49 bailed and 21 released with no further action.

This year’s arrests show a slight decrease on the 144 arrests made during the same period in 2012.

The campaign, which runs until January 1, will see police targeting individuals they suspect of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, both on the way home from nights out and the morning after a heavy night.

Of the arrests, 44 have been made in Berkshire, 62 in Buckinghamshire and 37 in Oxfordshire.

Chief Inspector for Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Roads Policing Unit, Henry Parsons, said: "It’s worrying that some people are still making the wrong choices, deciding to drink and drive when there are alternatives available.

"Drink driving is dangerous and it kills or seriously injures many people each year, devastating families.

"I’m grateful for the public support for this campaign that has helped us to be in the right places, at the right times to make these arrests. We’ll continue to target drink drivers every single day of the year, not just during campaign periods. It isn’t worth the risk."

The ‘Is it worth the risk? ‘campaign will be running on Twitter (@ThamesVP) and Facebook.