THE number of young drivers caught drink-driving in a summer crackdown has soared, alarming figures show.

Essex Police stopped 995 drivers under the age of 25 during its campaign in June. Statistics show 4.42 per cent tested positive for alcohol, almost double the 2.80 per cent stopped in a similar campaign last year.

Adam Pipe, Essex Police’s senior traffic management officer, said the figures showed a worrying trend.

He said: “We work hard to get the dangers of drink-driving across to the public and I hope these statistics will be a wake-up call to anyone considering drink-driving.

“It’s simply not acceptable to drink and drive. Motorists should not consume any alcohol, however little, before getting behind the wheel.”

The figures come following Essex Police’s annual summer drink-drive crackdown, which saw road policing officers beefing up patrols during June to snare motorists driving while under the influence.

As well as showing a surge in the number of young drink-drivers, they also show motorists across the board are continuing to ignore safety messages and get behind the wheel after having alcohol.

Of the 3,394 people given roadside breath tests across Essex, who were not involved in crashes, 123 or 3.6 per cent tested positive or refused or failed to give a breath specimen, compared with 2.8 per cent last year.

Of the 669 motorists who were tested after crashing, 35 were over the limit, compared to 21 the year before.

Mr Pipe added: “We take drink-driving very seriously and these statistics show we are successfully targeting drink-drivers.

“You could lose more than your driving licence when you drink-drive, you could lose your job, then your home. You could lose your life or injure or kill others.

“The only thing you can gain from drink-driving is a criminal record.”

Motorists caught behind the wheel after drinking could face a 12-month driving ban and a £5,000 fine.