FOI 355373
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 355373
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 28th August 2024. Please find below the response to your request:
I am seeking data relating to your police force area relating to rates of drug driving. Please could you provide data in response to the following requests.
"Within your force area, how many drivers were tested for driving under the influence of drugs in each month of 2023 and up to 31st July 2024.”
"Within your force area, how many drivers failed drug tests for driving under the influence of drugs in each month of 2023 and up to 31st July 2024.”
Reply
West Mercia Police hold some of the information you have requested.
"Within your force area, how many drivers were tested for driving under the influence of drugs in each month of 2023 and up to 31st July 2024.”
There is no requirement to retain records of negative drug tests so an accurate number of the persons tested for drugs cannot be provided.
"Within your force area, how many drivers failed drug tests for driving under the influence of drugs in each month of 2023 and up to 31st July 2024.”
During the period of 01st January 2023 to 31st July 2024, a total of 4075 individual drug wipes were issued to officers. This can be broken down by the number issued each month as follows:
2023:
January – 200
February – 150
March – 300
April – 100
May – 50
June – 175
July – 200
August – 425
September – 50
October – 300
November - 650
December – 100
2024:
January – 200
February – 150
March – 100
April – 250
May – 150
June – 250
July – 275
The number of arrests between 01st January 2023 to 31st July 2024 under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 was 1225, this has been broken down on a monthly basis as requested:
2023
January – 81
February - 72
March - 77
April - 75
May - 64
June - 41
July - 69
August - 91
September - 77
October - 54
November -74
December – 98
2024
January - 63
February - 83
March - 51
April - 54
May - 44
June - 36
July – 21