Durham force installs QR codes in bars this Christmas to discreetly report suspected drink drivers
The message not to drink and drive this Christmas has stepped up a gear with new QR codes in pubs and bars offering punters a direct line to police if they suspect someone of climbing behind the wheel.
Durham Constabulary has installed the signs in parts of the force area in a bid to combat the issue of drink and drug driving and potentially save lives this festive season.
The QR codes, which are now in every pub and bar in Darlington, can be scanned with a smart phone to make a report to the force.
Constable Lee Blaney, who is behind the scheme told ITV Tyne Tees: "Nine times out of ten when you're waiting at a bar you've got your phone out.
"You're looking for something to do and it might just give people that little bit extra idea of - we know that somebody's drink driving, we don't actually have the time or the discreetness to make a phone call so if we can do it ultimately via a text message exchange, it may well just save one life on our roads."
Used elsewhere in the country, the initiative is a first for the region and is being launched in and around Darlington because it is the area which saw the highest number of drink and drug drivers of anywhere across the force this time last year.
Explaining how it works, PC Blaney said: "[You] get [your] phone, scan the QR code, click on the live chat icon then from there you'll be straight through to a control room call handler.
"You provide the information of the potential suspect and that information will be disseminated to one of our road policing officers who can hopefully intercept the individuals concerned."
The launch has been welcomed by bar owner Tori Gill.
She said: "It's really important for us because we want to promote responsible drinking and as part of our license we have to do that.
"It's a great initiative that's been launched and it takes the onus off our staff and it puts some of the onus on our customers who are here and it just means it's a safe environment for people to remain."
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