DRINK-DRIVERS beware - a conviction could be just a phone call away.

Police are asking people in the South Ribble and Chorley areas to tell them about anyone they know who is drinking and driving.

The campaign - Drink Link - is designed to deter motorists from getting behind the wheel after one too many, and to crackdown on those who do.

Officers will act on information passed onto them by the public to concentrate their efforts on known offenders. A free confidential phone line has been set up to take your call.

It is run by the local CrimeStoppers in association with the Constabulary's Southern Division and will be enforced across South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire, alongside another police initiative to catch drink-drivers by running spot checks.

Sgt Steve Moon, who helped to dream up Drink Link, said: "We are asking people to give us information about known drink-drivers so we can better target our resources.

"The force targets drink-driving all year. But at the height of summer, you can be driving through the countryside after work, and decide to pull in at a country pub. We're looking for the people who take that to the extreme.

"If someone sees a person drink-driving, then obviously they should call 999. But if they have information on a drink-driver, they can ring the CrimeStoppers number. It's a free call, and the call will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"CrimeStoppers will not pass on to us any of the caller's details unless that person wants them to be passed on. We will be using both high profile and covert police vehicles to target specific offenders."

Drink Link was originally launched 18 months ago, but the operation has been stepped up during the summer months to combat the seasonal rise in drink-driving. If you have any information on drink-drivers, call 0800 555111.

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