Police chiefs have defended the fact they tested fewer motorists for drink driving over the latest Christmas crackdown.

The county force says it is now more targeted in how it goes about checking for divers being over the limit.

Officers add they work more off information about suspected drink drivers, with tips coming from sources such as pubs - or people with worries about particular motorists.

The force also carries out checks based on calls to other circumstances, such as crashes.

As well as this, patrols have been watching out for the manner in which people are driving.

Cumbria Police spoke out after their latest figures showed 235 tests for drink driving were carried out in the latest Christmas campaign.

Twelve drivers were caught being over the limit between December 1 and New Year's Day.

Last year, 740 people were tested during the Christmas campaign, with 55 registering positive or refusing a test.

And the numbers were even higher in previous years.

This year the force highlighted the number of people caught drug driving.

More motorists proved positive for this than drink driving in the latest crackdown.

A force spokesman - speaking about their approach generally - said: "The constabulary in recent years have moved to a more targeted approach to stopping those who drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

"By adopting an intelligence-led approach we are stopping more offenders than we did previously.

"We also stop vehicles based on calls for service and manner of driving.

“This is particularly true with regards to drug wipe testing.

"In December 2017, about 30 per cent of those given a drugs wipe test returned a positive result, with 19 drug drivers now facing losing their licence."

On the drugs front, 64 drivers in December received a roadside drugs wipe test.

This tests a person’s saliva to find out if they have taken drugs such as cocaine and cannabis before getting behind the wheel.

Police say anyone convicted of drug driving faces a minimum of a 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, an unlimited fine and up to six months in jail.

Cumbria's recent Christmas drink drive campaign statistics

– 2016: 740 people tested, 55 positive or refused

– 2015: 835 people tested, 37 positive or refused

– 2014: 2,907 people tested, 64 positive or refused

Force continues search for top officer

Interviews will be held later this month for a new chief constable for Cumbria.

Jerry Graham - the county's current top officer - is to retire by the end of March.

His period at the county force saw him act as the gold commander during two of the most traumatic events in Cumbria's history - the floods of 2009 and the operation launched as gunman Derrick Bird carried out his killing spree in west Cumbria.

County crime commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “The recruitment for a new chief constable is progressing well.

"I am aiming to hold the interviews towards the end of January.

"I will be announcing my preferred candidate early in February."

Final approval will be given by the county's Police and Crime Panel, which oversees his work.

Mr Graham joined Cumbria Police in 2009 as assistant chief constable, before being promoted to deputy chief in 2014.

He took on the chief role the same year.

Mr Graham joined the police service in 1985, working in a variety of uniform and CID roles with Lancashire Constabulary.

He has also performed national and regional roles.