Release: Showing Criminals that Dorset is #NoPlaceForDrugs
Dorset Police is supporting the fourth phase of Operation Scorpion, a South West regional intensification week, focusing on drugs and drug related violence.
Starting today, Monday 27 March 2023, Dorset Police is joining South West regional colleagues in carrying out operations to disrupt drug supply and prevent drug related violence.
Operation Scorpion is a joined-up collaboration between the five police forces in the South West region (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) and the charity Crimestoppers, to combine resources to tackle drug supply and drug related violence in the region and make the South West a hostile environment for drugs.
Three regional operations have already taken place in the last year and have led to hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash being taken off the streets, over 200 people arrested and over 300 vulnerable people safeguarded or supported.
This week of action will focus on areas of crime that are often linked to drug offences such as knife crime and violence. Carrying a weapon could have devastating and life-changing consequences for people, their families and local communities.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said:“Operation Scorpion is once again putting a ring of steel around the south west region by working together, across borders to track down those involved in illegal drug supply lines, known as County Lines, and not only arresting the people involved, but seizing the drugs, the money and goods associated to their trade.
“This time round, the operation is concentrating on tackling the violence and knife crime that all too often goes hand in hand with illegal drug supply. County Lines operate in a dangerous and dark world of violence, intimidation, grooming and modern slavery. The violence involved in establishing a supply line is now well known, and it is those at the bottom of the chain, often young and vulnerable adults and children who feel they must ‘protect’ themselves by carrying and all too often, using a knife.
“Not only does the violence associated with drugs need to be highlighted, the use of knives to ‘enforce’ or to ‘protect’ has gone beyond illegal drug supply and has become part of a culture of knife use in our society that needs to be addressed using every method at our collective disposal; from more effective enforcement to providing more education in schools about drugs and drug use, from improving treatment for addiction to raising the standards of societies role models – we must all do more to challenge and change what has become a sad acceptance of violence and knife crime on our streets.
“During Op Scorpion, I will be out and about with officers across Dorset, to show my support for the work they are doing to combat County Lines and to keep, not only the residents and communities of Dorset safe, but the whole of the south west of England.”
Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “This operation firmly puts our approach of protecting our communities at its heart.
“Tackling drug use and dealing within our county and the wider South West region is vital, but we’re extending this operation further, tackling associated issues such as locating and seizing weapons and making arrests for possession of knives and other weapons, which further supports our efforts to disrupt drug supply networks.
“The links between violent crime and drug supply are clear and our local neighbourhood teams are at the heart of tackling this issue.
“The impact drugs and drugs related violence has on communities cannot be underestimated and we know that time and time again, drugs and violence in a community is often the greatest concern for people.
“Violence is bad enough, but if it involves a knife or other weapons the consequences can be even greater. Not only to themselves but to their family and the community – to everybody who is involved.
“The overarching aim of the intensification week is to direct our resources, to proactively and robustly police those involved in such criminality and protect the communities of Dorset.”
There is lots of support available if you, or someone you know needs help.
The National Crime Agency County Lines website explains more about county lines and indicators of exploitation in your area.
Safe 4 Me has details about support services nationally for young people impacted by Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation. They also have lots of information regarding specific forms of exploitation, understanding trauma, rights and the law and much more.
The Safeguarding Network have helpful tips for understanding indicators of exploitation and what may make a young person more vulnerable to being exploited.
The NSPCC offers guidance on understanding specific apps and platforms that young people may be using.
If you have any information or intelligence about illegal drugs activity in your area, please contact Dorset Police online or via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.