Five men from Rochdale borough charged over first weekend of national drink and drug drive campaign

Five men from the Rochdale borough have been charged over the first weekend of a national campaign to tackle drink and drug drivers during the busy summer period.

The campaign is led by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and runs from Monday 24 June until Monday 8 July with the aim of reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by irresponsible drink and drug drivers.

Anyone charged with drink or drug driving offences during the campaign will be named by GMP.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/128598/drink-and-drug-drive-campaign-will-name-offenders

Kazza Hussain, 31, of Castleton, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving while disqualified and having no insurance. He appeared at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 28 June.

Oscar Stretton, 24, of Rochdale, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. He is due to appear at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 24 July.

Ali Haroun, 26, of Rochdale, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and no insurance. He is due to appear at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 25 July.

Nastajus Arturas, 33, of Heywood, has been charged with failing to provide a specimen. He is due to appear at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on Monday 8 July.

Jamie Carter, 39, of Middleton, has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. He is due to appear at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 25 July.

Officers made a total of 48 arrests over the first weekend of the drink and drug drive campaign, resulting in 23 people being charged.

To date, five men and a woman from the Rochdale borough have been charged and named.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/128709/heywood-woman-one-of-the-first-charged-during-drink-and-drug-driving-campaign

The last drink and drug drive campaign took place in December 2018 where a total of 228 arrests were made and 1,867 breath, drug and field impairment tests were undertaken.

Anyone convicted of drink or drug driving will face:

• A criminal record
• At least a one-year driving ban
• Higher motor insurance costs
• Endorsement on your driving licence for 11 years
• You could also lose your job

In England and Wales, it is illegal to drive with legal drugs in your body (ie: prescription drugs) if it impairs your driving.

If you suspect anyone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, contact the police directly on 101 or 999 in an emergency where they pose an immediate threat to themselves or other road users.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.