Multiple arrests were made for drink and drug driving over the weekend across Cumbria.
Cumbria Police said it had a busy weekend targeting dangerous driver behaviour on the county’s roads.
On Saturday October 11, in the afternoon, the driver of a Volkswagen Golf failed to stop for officers on London Road in Carlisle.
He then ran from his car but was chased on foot by police – including through the River Petteril – before being arrested.
The 32-year-old Carlisle man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, taking a motor vehicle without consent, driving without a valid license, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police and drug driving.
He has been released under investigation whilst officers carry out further enquiries including blood test results.
Also on Saturday afternoon, officers pulled over a Mini in Eastern Way in Carlisle.
The driver’s roadside breath test returned a reading almost triple the drink-drive limit.
Tony Johnstone, 59, of St Martin’s Drive, Brampton was arrested and has been charged with drink driving.
He was bailed to Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on October 31 2025.
On Saturday evening, officers stopped a Vauxhall Insignia in Whitehaven.
A roadside breath test found the driver to be more than double the drink-drive limit.
John Holliday, 43, of Red Lonning, Whitehaven was arrested and has since been charged with drink driving.
He was bailed to attend Workington Magistrates’ Court on November 18 2025.
In the early hours of Sunday October 12 morning, officers in Carlisle stopped a Ford Focus being driven by a 19-year-old man.
He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested.
Stephen Taylor, of West Street, Wigton, has since been charged with drink-driving.
He was bailed to appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on October 31 2025.
On Sunday evening, officers stopped a Mercedes SL400 on the M6 at Todhills.
The driver – a 40-year-old man from the Glasgow area – failed a roadside drugs wipe for cocaine and was arrested.
He was released under investigation whilst officers carry out further enquiries including blood test results.
Cumbria Police continues to prioritise road safety by targeting dangerous drivers and dangerous driver behaviour.
This includes via Operation Colossus – which targets antisocial behaviour including on the roads – and Operation Spotlight – a dedicated national road safety operation which runs operations throughout the year.
