Commissioner sees drink-drive operation in action

A high profile operation has seen Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner team up with police to highlight the dangers of driving the morning after drinking.

Clive Grunshaw joined officers from Blackpool on Whitegate Drive in the town as they stopped dozens of drivers at a roadside checkpoint.

The morning of action came as part of Lancashire Police's annual Christmas drink-drive crackdown and was designed to highlight to motorists the dangers of driving under the influence of drink or drugs. High-profile checkpoints are being set up across the county during the month of December, and officers are administering drink and drug tests to anyone they believe may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Commissioner said:- "Enforcement activity is vital to highlight to Lancashire's residents how serious the Constabulary is about catching those drivers who put both their lives and the lives of other people at risk by drink-driving. Everyone who drove down Whitegate Drive this morning will have seen the police operation, and I hope it will make them think twice about getting in their car after drinking this Christmas. I am fully supportive of the Constabulary's ongoing operation, and I believe it is spreading a very important message. I want everyone across Lancashire to have a safe and enjoyable Christmas, and anyone who police find is putting that at risk by getting behind the wheel while over the limit will be arrested."

And Clive Grunshaw also joined representatives from Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service at Blackpool Victoria Hospital's A and E Department to highlight the demand drink-driving places on all three emergency services.

FOOTBALL FIRM ADDS 50,000 PLAYERS – AT SAME TIME AS NATIONAL LEVELS DWINDLE

THE national 5 and 6 a side football company that runs thriving leagues in Southport celebrated a record breaking 12 months by sending this New Year message to the FA - you've lost 100,000 players this year, we have gained over 50,000.  Leisure Leagues, who run the leagues in Southport at Greenbank High School and on the Ainsdale Pitches, do not affiliate to the Football Association despite the organisation pressurising them to do so, and spoke out after it was reported recently that the FA faces losing 20% of its funding after 100,000 players had left the 11 a side game. However, Leisure Leagues Executive Manager, Chris Rowntree, painted a very different picture from their point of view.

"We are delighted to say that we have had a record breaking 2013. We have attracted nearly 6000 new teams and started in excess of 45 new leagues, all of this means we have given opportunities to over 50,000 footballers to play in their communities this year. Given that this comes at a time when the FA has lost 100,000 players and Sport England are warning that they will withhold their funding, we think that is something we can be very proud of." explained Chris.

Chris added that the company already has plans to grow in 2014 and said:- "With Christmas and the New Year approaching it might be a time for reflection and whilst we are very pleased at the way things are going, we will not be resting. We already have plans to open even more leagues next year as well as continuing our expansion into other Countries. It is absolutely vital to us to keep growing."

The Monday and Wednesday leagues in Southport are popular with players, and sees qualified referees used on all occasions, with discipline of paramount importance, as Chris explained:- "The FA does not, in our opinion, take a firm enough stance with regards to player conduct. We take a much more proactive approach to anti-social behaviour. We want to assure everyone that signs up to our leagues next year that it is a place for the whole community, whatever their background or ability level, to enjoy their football."

Anyone who wants more information about the league can ring:- 0333 123 2340 or sign up on the website.