POLICE in Wrexham have launched an initiative to tackle motoring offences following concerns over drink and drug driving incidents.

Wrexham Town inspector Luke Hughes said the scheme began today and will focus on the town centre.

He explained: "Wrexham town officers, with the support of the North Wales Police roads policing unit, will be running a road safety intensification operation that will run for at least two weeks.

"We have seen a disappointing number of drink and drug drive incidents recently and sadly some these have involved collisions."

Insp Hughes said the recent incidents, which number more than a dozen since the beginning of the year, have seen damage caused to innocent motorists' vehicles - and on one occasion multiple parked vehicles.

He continued: "We'd expect at this time of year, given the lockdown, to see little to none of it.

"But year-on-year, we're still seeing about the same amount of drink and drug driving offences in this period - and these are just the ones we've caught.

"I'd expect there are more who are doing it and have not been caught.

"This intensification will be looking at drink and drug driving but also other aspects like vehicle condition and documentation. "Luckily at this time we haven't seen anyone suffer any serious injuries.

"But statistically speaking, we're overdue a serious incident and I will do everything in my power to prevent that. "As far as I am concerned, if you're driving a vehicle and you're intoxicated, you're a criminal and we will deny you the use of the road in Wrexham.

"You will see an increased number of officers conducting tests and I would hope members of the public understand.

"The simple advice if you're thinking about driving after drinking or taking drugs and driving - don't do it. You will be caught. "You will be banned and you could end up in prison. "More to the point, you could kill someone.

"Nationally this happens weekly, possibly daily across the UK.

"If I can do anything to prevent that here in Wrexham, I will do."