A DRUNK driver has written a “thank you” letter to the police officer who arrested him, saying he did a “fantastic job” in catching him.

    The unnamed driver, who is 45, said that he had learned a “very valuable lesson” and would not be drinking and driving again in the future.

    He sent the letter to Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, after he was arrested in Upminster, in Essex, Britain, last year.

    The letter details how the driver was stopped for a routine traffic violation by PC Martin Gillett, a traffic officer based at Chadwell Heath, in September.

    “He smelt alcohol on my breath and subsequently breathalyzed me, for which I failed [sic],” he wrote.

    The driver was arrested and taken to Romford Police Station.

    “But I would like to say that during this time, even though I had done wrong I was treated with courtesy and respect by all of your officers,” he continued.

    The driver was bailed and asked to return to the police station at a later date, as the officers had to wait for an analysis of a urine sample.

    When the driver returned to the station PC Gillett told him that he would be charged and guided him through the procedure.

    “I shook his hand and thanked him for stopping me that night, and he looked puzzled,” the driver continued.

    “Your officers do a fantastic job and I think he saved me from going down a path I was heading for.

    “I have learnt a very valuable lesson and will never attempt to combine the two again.

    “If I did drink I won’t drive and if I drive I won’t drink.”

    “I just wanted you to know this officer is a credit to the Metropolitan Police.”

    Traffic officer PC Gillett, speaking to the Romford Recorder newspaper, said the “heartwarming letter was rare.”

    He said, “Every officer likes to receive letters of thanks but this is an unusual one — the fact this driver felt compelled to write to the commissioner is heart warming.”(SD-Agencies)