Police have arrested 17 people on suspicion of drink-driving just two days into the force's 'Smashed' campaign.

Smashed was launched on Saturday and is aimed at targeting drink and drug-drivers around the festive season when the police see the highest number of offences.

A spokesman said over the weekend alone 17 people- 13 men and four women- were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The figure shows a 15 per cent reduction on arrests during the same period in 2011.

Of those arrested, 14 were charged and three were bailed pending further enquiries.

So far, the youngest person arrested was 18 years old and the oldest was 62.

The campaign, which runs until January 1, 2013, will see police targeting individuals they suspect of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, both on the way home from nights out and the morning after.

It comes as a father has agreed to let police to display the car wreckage which his daughter was driving when she died after drinking whilst over the limit.

Chief Inspector Andy Bottomley, of the Joint Operations Unit roads policing for Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, said: “To have made 17 arrests already is hugely disappointing, even if that is a reduction on the same time period last year.

“We hear a lot of excuses from people when we arrest them, from 'I concentrate better when I have been drinking' to 'I've only had one'. Be sure and be safe - don't drive at all if you've been drinking. There's no excuse for it and no legitimate reason for taking that risk.

“We're committing more resources to drink-driving operations this year than ever before so if you're on the road and you've been drinking, chances are we will find you.

“Our message is simple: don't drink and drive.”

Hampshire Constabulary is asking members of the public across the two counties to text 80999 to report anyone they suspect of driving drink or being drug impaired behind the wheel.

The information will be received anonymously, and senders simply need to text the precise location where the driver was last seen, direction of travel if possible, and as many vehicle details as possible - most importantly the number plate.

The number is a text-only service, and will not take phone calls but anyone witnessing a drink drive offence in progress can call 999.