Woman arrested on suspicion of drug driving during Project Zero patrols in Chippenham

A woman was arrested on suspicion of drug driving during Project Zero patrols today (1/2).

Every Wednesday, Roads Policing Unit officers conduct proactive patrols in a specific town in the county as part of Project Zero, which in short, aims to reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

While the work taking place is very much everyday work for our RPU officers, the project sees the department intensify resources to target the fatal five offences which are excess speed, drink/drug driving, using a phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and careless/dangerous driving.

Today, a 30-year-old woman was arrested on the A420 at Allington after an RPU officer witnessed her driving a Ford Focus and suspected her to be under the influence of drugs. A roadside drug wipe was conducted which tested positive for cocaine and she was arrested. She has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

As well as this arrest, officers also issued the following:

• 12 Fixed Penalty Tickets for varying offences including illegal window tints and seat belt offences
• 10 Traffic Offence Reports for offences including mobile phones, excess speed and insecure loads
• Five key locations were speed checked following concerns reported by the public including Hardenhuish Lane and Malmesbury Road
• Four vehicles were dealt with for having no insurance.

During patrols by officers, a child who had been reported missing was also located.

A/Insp Will Ayres said: “Officers have been out and about in the Chippenham area today, not only detecting traffic offences but also engaging with members of the local community who have been pleased to see a police presence in their area following ongoing concerns regarding speeding. We have taken on board feedback we’ve received from local residents today and will continue to conduct patrols and speed checks in the area in the coming weeks and months.

“It’s also important to note that officers don’t only deal with road related offences – whilst on patrol today, one of our RPU officers was able to locate a 15-year-old girl who had been reported missing earlier in the day.”