FIGURES reveal that seventeen people were detected for drink-driving in the Omagh area in December.

This included motorists who were unfit to drive or who were unable to, or refused, to give a sample.

The campaign, run jointly with the DOE, was backed by a number of Roadsafe operations in which local police were joined by Road Policing Command Units and specialist Tactical Support Groups to target a whole range of motoring offences.

Superintendent Michael Skuce, Omagh District Commander, said, "I can assure people that there will be no let up in our determination to catch drink-drivers and bring them before the courts."

In total, 203 people were arrested for drink-driving offences in 2006.

Supt Skuce added, "The message from police is straightforward. If you drink and drive then there is a good chance that you will be caught. And that chance is increasing all the time. We made it clear that there would be no hiding place for those who drink and drive."

"Although the current publicity campaign has ended, I can assure people that there will be no let up in our determination to catch drink drivers and bring them before the courts."

Independent Cllr Paddy McGowan expressed his disappointment at the statistics.

"I will never understand why this continues to happen. Do they ever think of the consequences to themselves and other road users?"

"The sad thing is when people lose their licence it often follows that they lose their job."

Mr McGowan had a clear message against drink-driving.

"People must be aware of the consequences and remember that lifes can be lost. It's time to wise up."