RELEASE: Operation Scorpion strikes again
More than a hundred people have been arrested across the South West after police forces came together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation (CCE).
Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between the South West’s five police forces (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police and South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) which sees resources combined to tackle drug supply and make the region a hostile environment for organised crime groups.
During a week of coordinated activity, police officers and staff worked collectively to apprehend suspected dealers, seize drugs and weapons, and safeguard vulnerable people.
A range of enforcement activity took place, including the execution of arrest and search warrants, vehicle stops and the use of drones to track suspected dealers.
In addition, vulnerable people were safeguarded, with several people identified from the phones seized from suspected dealers and sent text messages with details of support services.
In total, across the South West:
- More than 112 people were arrested
- More than £67,329 cash was seized
- More than 52kg of cannabis was confiscated, including 868 cannabis plants
- Three guns were recovered, plus five imitation firearms
- More than 48 people were safeguarded
In Dorset, there were:
- 11 warrants executed
- 22 arrests, with one since charged
- 13 people safeguarded, including six children
- £18,790 cash seized
- Drugs seized - 560 cannabis plants, 320g cannabis, 16g cocaine, 22g heroin, MDMA tablets and 3 NOS cannisters
- Weapons recovered - stun gun, taser, three knives, imitation firearm
- Four vehicles seized
- Nine mobile phones seized
Last week’s Operation Scorpion, which was coordinated by Gloucestershire Constabulary, had a particular focus on CCE – where criminals groom and exploit young people into carrying out crimes on their behalf.
Officers visited schools where they gave inputs to children on county lines and CCE, highlighting what it looks like and where to get help and support.
A coordinated awareness campaign was also run on social media, with targeted TikTok and SnapChat adverts designed to reach young people where they spend much of their time - online.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “We fully recognise the impact that the supply of illegal drugs has on our communities, and we remain committed to taking action to keep our county safe from their dangers.
“Working with regional colleagues enables us to tackle suspected criminal networks who are operating across our Force areas and exploiting vulnerable people, particularly young children, and create a hostile environment for these suspected criminals to operate in.
“Through these co-ordinated efforts, and the development of vital intelligence provided by our communities, we have continued to further disrupt the activities of those involved in the suspected supply of illegal drugs.
“I would continue to urge members of the public to report any information or intelligence around suspected drug related activity so we can continue to make real and positive changes for our communities.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “The results of Operation Scorpion show the power of collaboration not just in Dorset but across the South West. By working closely with our neighbouring forces and fellow PCCs, we are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate the harm caused by illegal drugs.
“Shutting down county lines, seizing weapons, cash and illegal drugs and disrupting criminality demonstrates the robust enforcement people expect when it comes to drug crime. Equally important is the vital focus on protecting vulnerable people and safeguarding those being exploited and I thank Dorset Police and all our partners for their efforts towards this.
“Together, in lockstep with our partners, we will continue to target criminality, shutdown county lines, protect the vulnerable, and send a clear message that Dorset is No Place for Drugs.”
Regional Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, of the South West ROCU, said: “This operation once again shows our region’s determination to target and disrupt the organised crime groups who are looking to make huge profits supplying drugs across the South West, while exploiting our young people and causing real harm in our communities.
“As well as the drugs and weapons taken off our streets, we’ve seen brilliant work to educate and protect young people and targeted appeals for community intelligence to help drive future policing operations.”
Anyone who suspects drug dealing or suspicious activity is taking place in their community can report it to either Crimestoppers anonymously or police.
You can report this to Dorset Police online via the website.
You can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/