Cambridgeshire: Louis Smith Backs Police

13 December 2012, 13:17 | Updated: 13 December 2012, 13:23

Peterborough Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has given his backing to Cambridgeshire Police's Christmas drink drive campaign.

Smith, who trains at Huntingdon Gymnastics Club, won two medals at London 2012.

Now, he has thrown his backing behind Cambridgeshire Police's efforts to prevent people drinking and driving over Christmas.

The Police campaign, which was launched last week, warns drivers of the dangers of driving under the influence.

Louis said: "I think Christmas is a great time for everyone to celebrate and spend time with their families and loved ones. 

For me it's usually the one time of the year I get to really relax away from the hectic nature of my day-to-day life.

Drink driving has the potential to be damaging to so many people. It can affect lives forever and take away lives so it's something I feel so passionately about helping prevent.

It's only too clear to see how horrific the consequences can be for anyone implicated by an accident caused by drink driving.

It's great that the police will be out and about helping to prevent accidents caused by drink driving but I just want to appeal to everyone especially in the local area to think first before getting in your cars after enjoying a Christmas drink."

Figures from Cambridgeshire Police show 38 drivers have been arrested for drink-driving since the campaign started last Thursday.

During the 2011 Christmas period, a total of 111 drivers were arrested in Cambridgeshire for drinking and driving.