Operation Scorpion: Tackling the enablers
Recently, the twelfth round of Operation Scorpion took place across the south west, with PCCs and Forces from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire along with South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police working together to crackdown on drug supply networks operating across the region. This latest iteration coincided with the national County Lines Intensification Week and involved a range of activity from warrants and arrests to education and prevention work.
For this latest round of Operation Scorpion, the focus was on the ‘enablers’; these are the people whose actions – or inaction - enable drug dealers to operate in our communities including those who look the other way. Often, those who enable this illegal and harmful activity do so unknowingly, so it is vital that part of the week of action saw officers working with hotels, taxi and private hire companies and postal operators to raise awareness of the key signs of illegal drug activity and exploitation, another key focus of this iteration.
In Dorset, Operation Scorpion saw 120 officers and staff involved in this successful action, with eight warrants carried out across the county. From this, two drug lines have been permanently closed, 24 people arrested and more than £20,000 worth of Class A and B drugs seized. Three vehicles were also seized, and weapons including zombie knives, machetes, flick knives and knuckledusters recovered along with £25,000 cash. I saw some of this activity first-hand and know how much work goes into ensuring these warrants take place, so thank those involved for their dedication.
For me, one of the most important aspects of this round was the engagement and activity with industries we know can be used by these ruthless drug networks. As well as work with hotels and taxi companies, Dorset Police also addressed the issue of ‘faster parcels’, with criminals overseas using the postal service to deliver illegal drugs and other items. The Force also spoke with young people and schools about illegal vapes, increasingly used by drug networks to recruit and exploit young people, pulling them into criminality.
We know county lines and the way these drugs gangs operate is changing. That’s why working together with this strong partnership of regional forces and organisations is so vital as we work to make the south west #NoPlaceForDrugs. Today, I’ve invited two important organisations – Taxi Watch and Hotel Watch - to comment further on the work taking place to raise awareness about exploitation and illegal activity.
Nicky Smith, director of PRC Streamline Group and lead for Taxi Watch said: “Taxi Watch works with the local authority, Dorset Police and the taxi trade on issues happening across the area. It began in response to concerns about illegal lifts and private cars offering lifts to people, and the PCC was integral to getting this up and running. Taxi Watch is all about keeping people safe and liaising with the council and police on issues including county lines and protecting women, girls and vulnerable people for example. All drivers who work for companies involved in Taxi Watch receive safeguarding training and watch out for patterns and concerns about young people. One of the things I would encourage all taxi-users to check is that they are using a vehicle licensed in this area. There are very strict licensing rules in this area including the training drivers must go through and the standards they commit to.”
Rosie Radwell, managing director of Marsham Court Hotel, Chair of BH Area Hospitality Association and a member of Hotel Watch said: “One of the signs we’ve learnt to look out for is people booking rooms who live within the same postcode as the hotel. While this isn’t an automatic indicator, it does raise an alert and one of the things I would like to see is booking websites flagging this with hotels at the point of sale. I would say there is more of an issue with drugs than ever before and I expect all hotels, especially those in seaside towns are experiencing the same challenges.
“Through Hotel Watch hotel staff across the area have had training, and I would like to see more interactive sessions for individual hotels due to the high turnover in the hospitality industry as it proved very useful and informative.”
Thanks to both Nicky and Rosie for their thoughts and comments. I know how hard businesses in Dorset work and how much their support and co-operation are appreciated by the Force and myself. I am determined to ensure this robust enforcement and partnership working continues apace, to protect all those across Dorset, including our responsible and hard-working business communities. Tackling illegal drugs goes much deeper than seizing drugs and cash; we must foster the confidence of the public who live and work in Dorset to encourage more people to report their intelligence and tell us what’s happening where they live.
I am clear, tackling illegal drugs and the dangers they present to young people and society at large is a top priority for me, and for Dorset Police. We will continue to relentlessly tackle the criminal activity and those involved to ensure our county remains one of the top ten safest places in the country.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner