MORE people in Hampshire have been charged with drink-driving offences in the first fortnight of a Christmas crackdown than last year.

A total of 75 people were charged during the first two weeks of the month-long campaign - an increase of 39 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The number of people arrested for drug or drink driving has also increased, from 89 last year to 108 this year.

Inspector Andy Storey, from Hampshire Constabulary, said: β€œIt is disappointing that people still are not getting the message about drink driving. It is astounding that people are still taking the risk.”

The number of arrests in Basingstoke and Deane has decreased marginally, from nine in 2012 to eight in 2013.

But in Hart and Rushmoor, which includes villages such as Hartley Wintney and Odiham, the number of arrests has increased, from six last year to 11 this year.

Other areas to see large increases of arrests include East Hampshire and Winchester, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

This year's campaign has used the story of 10-year-old Evey Staley to highlight the potential dangers of drink-driving.

The schoolgirl died on the Isle of Wight in August last year, when her family's car was hit by a driver who was two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

Robert Blakely, 31, from Sandown, was jailed for 10 years after admitting causing death by driving without due care while under the influence of alcohol.

Hampshire police officers have been handing out purple ribbons to drivers in Evey's memory, as purple was her favourite colour.

A thought-provoking roadshow display, featuring the wreckage of the Staley family's car, visited Market Square in Basingstoke on Tuesday evening as part of the drink-drive campaign.