NEWS FESTIVE POLICING
As Christmas draws closer POLICE takes a look at different operations forces in the UK will be carrying out to keep communities safe
Christmas is a season of joy for communities, but for policing it is a season of strain. Across England and Wales, forces face a surge in demand every December, balancing festive celebrations with public safety campaigns, domestic incidents, public order challenges, and counter-terror vigilance. Officers work long shifts, often away from their families, to ensure communities can celebrate safely. The reality of policing Christmas is one of resilience, sacrifice, and relentless commitment.
forces across the country in enforcement and education activity. In December 2024, officers carried out nearly 59,000 roadside tests, resulting in almost 7,000 arrests. Intelligence-led stops revealed that nearly 10 per cent of drivers tested positive
“The consequences of impaired driving are stark. NPCC data shows that over 400 casualties occur each December because of drink or drug driving.”
THE NATIONAL PICTURE: OPERATION LIMIT AND ROAD SAFETY At the heart of seasonal policing is Operation Limit, the nationally coordinated crackdown on drink and drug driving. For the third year running, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has united
04 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2025
for alcohol, while drug wipes produced positive results in over 42 per cent of cases. These figures underline why forces dedicate significant manpower to roadside enforcement at Christmas. The consequences of impaired driving
are stark. NPCC data shows that over 400 casualties occur each December because of drink or drug driving. For
officers, this means long nights on cold roads, stopping vehicles, conducting tests, and dealing with the aftermath of collisions. The campaign is supported by the government’s THINK! initiative, which in 2024 partnered with alcohol brands to promote zero per cent options in pubs and bars, and in 2025 launched its first drug-driving campaign in a decade. Together, these efforts combine enforcement with education, but they also add to the workload of
communications and frontline teams. Force-Specific Operations: Local Responses to Festive Challenges While Operation Limit provides
national coordination, local forces run their own tailored campaigns to address community needs. These operations illustrate the diversity of policing challenges at Christmas.
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