81 drug wipe tests carried out since January

12 people convicted of being over the limit

Police have carried out 81 drug wipe tests in just over seven months.

Officers use them to detect people who are under the influence of illegal substances.

Between 17 January and 6 September there were 12 people convicted of driving, attempting to drive, or being in charge of a vehicle, whilst over the specified drug limit.

In his annual report this year Chief Constable Gary Roberts revealed the process costs more than £600 per time.

Each wipe costs £14 and the off-Island testing of each sample costs upwards of £600.

He warned that the cost of drug wipe testing means the forensic science budget will likely be overspent within the first quarter of the 2022-2023 year.

Mr Roberts added the likely expenditure implications were pointed out when the legislation was first proposed but no extra funds were provided by government.