TWENTY-four people have been charged with drink driving offences since the launch of our Christmas crack down.

On Thursday, December 1, 2016 we launched our Christmas Anti-Drink and Drug Driving Campaign in partnership with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.

The campaign aims to target perpetrators and the friends and relatives who know about their offending behaviour by highlighting the tragic consequences of drink and drug driving through the eyes of our officers who sadly witness them first-hand.

Between Thursday, December 1 and Monday, December 5, a total of 44 drivers have been arrested. Thirty-two of these arrests have been for drink driving offences and the remaining 12 for drug driving offences.

Twenty-four of those arrested have now been charged and are due to appear in court.

They are:

Matthew Butler, 24, of Copse Hill, Harlow due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on December 21 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at Valley Hill, Loughton at 8.35pm on December 5.

Michael O’Neil, 69, of Milford Road, Grays due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on December 20, 2016 charged with drink driving. He was arrested in Cygnet View, Thurrock just before 1am on December 2.

Christopher Prentice, 62, of Carisbrooke Drive, Corringham due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on January 3, 2017. He was arrested at Penbrooke Avenue, Southend at 8.40pm on December 1.

A 17-year-old boy from London due to appear at Basildon Youth Court on January 10, 2017 charged with drink driving and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty. He was arrested on the A1306 at Purlfeet at 12.45am on December 4.

Syed Bakht, 31, of Grifon Road, Chafford Hundred, due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on January 12 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at Girffon Road, Chafford Hundred at 12.10am on December 1.

Rebecca Wilkinson, 18, of Walsingham Road, Southend due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on the morning of December 19 charged with drink driving. She was arrested at Hamstal Road, Southend at 11.20pm on December 2.

William Summers, 52, due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on the morning of January 3, 2017 charged with drink driving. He was arrested following a single vehicle collision in Kings Road, Southend at around 10.40pm on December 3.

Maxwell Mutandwa, 34, of Caulfield Road, Shoeburness due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court charged with drink driving on the morning of December 19. He was arrested at Woodgrange Drive, Southend at just after 4.30am on December 4.

Jon Newport, 29, of Western Road, Billericay due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on the morning of January 3, 2017 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at Radford Way, Billericay at 11.40pm on December 1.

Trevor Walker, 52, of Church Street, Rugby, due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on December 22 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at Mountnessing Road, Billericay at 10.30pm on December 3.

Daniel Bannerman, 25, of St Mary’s Road, Clacton, due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on January 4, 2017 charged with drink driving, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with the terms of his licence. He was arrested on the A12 at Brentwood at 11am on December 5.

Nicholas Scorey, 48, of Sandown Close, Wickford, due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on the December 21 charged with drink driving. He was arrested on the A1306 at Purfleet at 1.45am on December 3.

Kenneth Onumadu, 44, of Clickett Hill, Basildon due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on January 3, 2-16 charged with drink driving and driving without insurance. He was arrested on the A126 at lakeside at 12.30am on December 4.

Vitor Gomes-Varela, 29, of Odessa Road, London due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on January 9, 2017 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at junction seven of the M11 at 5am on December 3.

Samiul Islam, 24, of Singlewell Road, Gravesend, due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on December 19 charged with drinking driving. He was arrested at Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill at 10.35pm on December 4.

Grace Papergeorgiou, 38, of Colchester Road, St Osyth due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on January 4 charged with drink driving. She was arrested at Thorpe Road, Thorpe le Soken at 9.20am on December 2.

Christopher Goodwin, 37, of Victoria Place, Brighlingsea due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on December 19 charged with driving whilst unfit through drink. He was arrested at Magnolia Drive, Colchester on December 2 at 11.30pm.

Sarah Cordrey, 35, of Constable Avenue, Clacton due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on December 19 charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. She was arrested at Mersea Road, Colchester at 11.30pm on December 2.

Mohammed Adnan, 36, of Rectory Road, Colchester due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on January 3, 2017 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at Head Street, Colchester at 5.25am on December 4.

Joanne Warner, 36, of Bardfield Way, Rayleigh, due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on January 4, 2-017 charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis, possession of cocaine and driving while disqualified. She was arrested at London Road, Rayleigh at 11.50pm on December 3.

Lisa Harvey, 35, of Ulverston, Purlfeet, due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on January 18 charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst over the legal alcohol limit. She was arrested on West Thurrock Way, Thurrock at 6.25pm on December 5.

Tina Reed, 48, of Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on January 9, 2017 charged with drink driving. She was arrested at Chelmer Village at 11.40pm on December 1.

Robert Reed, 57, of Cryalls, Lane, Sittinbourne, due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on January 4, 2017 charged with drink driving. He was arrested at Heath Road, Billericay at 12.20am on December 6.

Paul Lindsay, 40, of Jones Close, Southend, due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on December 30 charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was arrested at Homestead Gardens, Benfleet at 7.25am on December 1.

The remainder of those arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving offences have been released on bail pending further investigation until various dates.