NEARLY 60 people have been arrested across Hampshire as the county’s police force continues to clamp down on drink and drug drivers.

Officers have made a total of 59 arrests on Hampshire’s roads since the beginning of the month to apprehend those who get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs ahead of the Christmas period.

Of those arrested, 22 have been charged while seven of those will face no further action.

A total of 49 people arrested were male. The average age of those arrested is 39, with the oldest person arrested being 70, and the youngest is 19.

The crackdown coincides with Hampshire Constabulary’s annual antidrink and drug driving campaign Is It Worth The Risk?, which was launched on December 1.

The focus of this year’s initiative is on the death of ten-year-old Evey Staley, who was in her family’s car when it was hit by a drink and drug driver.

A series of interviews will be issued by police this week with those affected by the tragedy, including Evey’s parents, her relatives, and officers who attended the scene.

Evey's aunt and uncle, Hayley and Alan Staley, looked after her sister Ellie after the crash, and described the heartbreaking moment police informed them their niece had died.

Hayley said: “It’s just not worth it. The way I see it, some people have a glass of wine after work to relax. Why do you want to be relaxed when you get behind the wheel? You need to be focused on what you’re doing.

“It’s just not worth it. The devastation this family have been through because of someone's decision to do that.

I cannot tell you the things we have been involved in with Neal and Penny over the last year. The conversations we have had to have.”

Alan added: “The thing I will never forget is the day of the funeral, pushing my brother in his wheelchair up the church isle to his tenyear- old daughter’s funeral.”

Wreckage of the Staley family’s car is touring Hampshire this month as a sobering reminder of the devastating effects drink and drug driving can have on lives, and will be on show in Southampton tomorrow.