THE number of people reported for drink-driving during an annual police crackdown has risen by 12% in a year.

A total of 478 people were reported for getting behind the wheel while over the limit during the four-week festive campaign, up from 426 the previous year.

In the final week of the crackdown, reports of drink-driving increased by a quarter compared to the previous year – 131 compared to 105. Seven offenders were reported driving under the influence of drugs in the last week, up from four, and overall there were 36 reports for drug-driving throughout the crackdown, up from 25 last year.

A woman stopped by police with her six-year-old daughter in the car and a drunk Transit van driver who tried to hide in a loft were among those arrested during the crackdown, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) said.

Chief Superintendent Kate Thomson, speaking for Acpos, said: "It is deeply concerning that so many people are willing to risk their own lives and the lives of others.

"As well as receiving a criminal record, a substantial fine and an automatic 12-month ban, some of these drivers may also have their vehicle taken away for good.

"Although the campaign is now over, we will continue to target drink and drug-drivers on a daily basis, with patrols across the country out 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Our priority is to make our roads safe and get the message through that driving under the influence of drink or drugs is dangerous and completely unacceptable."

A 46-year-old woman with her daughter in the car was arrested on New Year's Day in Portree, Skye, when she refused to be tested. She now faces losing her Land Rover Freelander.

Police in Edinburgh, meanwhile, found a man hiding in a loft after he was spotted driving a Ford Transit without a seatbelt. He drove off and ran into a house, where he was pulled from the loft and jailed for drink- driving. He had a pending case for a similar offence and now faces losing his van.

Central Scotland dog patrol officers pursued a drunk 26-year-old without a full licence who made off in a stolen car on December 28. He was tracked on foot and found to be twice the limit. They also caught a 51-year-old who hit a bollard in Denny, near Falkirk, while driving despite being more than five times the legal limit on December 30.

Northern Constabulary arrested another 51-year-old who faces losing the Audi that he crashed in Wick, in the Highlands, on December 29. He made off but was later traced and found to be more than three times the legal limit.

A 17-year-old without a licence crashed a stolen car into shrubs on a roundabout in Aberdeen on December 27 while driving at twice the legal limit. He had already been banned from driving the previous October.

Grampian Police also arrested a drunk 30-year-old driving a stolen car on New Year's Day.

Police in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, chased an allegedly drunk 20-year-old driving an allegedly stolen car on December 29. He finally lost control and hit a tree.

In total, drink-driving during the four weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year was up 12% on last year, while drug-driving cases had risen by 44%.

Michael McDonnell, director of Road Safety Scotland, said: "It's encouraging this year's campaign has taken more irresponsible people off the roads than last year, but it's a sad fact we are still having to address this problem over 40 years after the drink-driving law was introduced."