Dorset Police launch huge county lines crackdown
Operation Viper will tackle drug gangs in the county
Dorset Police is putting in extra efforts to tackle what they're describing as the 'scourge' of county lines drug dealing - with a pledge to 'make the region a hostile place for those dealing drugs and bringing misery on communities'.
Operation Viper will use a dedicated team to use intelligence and enforcement to disrupt drug networks.
It's also aimed at improving visibility and community engagement to let local people know how the issue is being dealt with where they live.
Dorset Police Chief Constable Scott Chilton said:
“Operation Viper is about investing in a new approach to tackling organised drug supply in our county, taking out those criminals bringing misery to our communities and protecting vulnerable people being exploited by county lines drug gangs.
“We now have additional dedicated proactive resources to tackle the issues that county lines brings to communities including the exploitation of young people, violence and anti-social behaviour as well stopping the importation of Class A drugs into Dorset.
“The Neighbourhood Enforcement Teams, working with a proactive County Lines Task Force, is a two-pronged attack on those bringing drugs into our neighbourhoods and causing immeasurable harm. Our County Lines Task Force will target organised crime groups through developing intelligence and covert operations.
“I cannot be clearer on my message to those involved in county lines dealing and selling Class A drugs in Dorset. We will pursue you and you will be caught and dealt with. The public of Dorset, quite rightly, expect us to be relentless in our approach to tackling these gangs. With a clear determined approach, that is what we are doing.”
WHAT IS COUNTY LINES?
That criminal activity sees drugs being brought into rural areas like Dorset, by gangs operating from areas such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.
They often using young and vulnerable children to carry and sell drugs, and ‘cuckooing’ the home of those using drugs locally – effectively taking over their homes to act as temporary bases to sell drugs from.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has already committed to investing in Operation Viper as part of his Police and Crime Plan for Dorset:
“Hot on the heels of Operation Scorpion – where we saw all five forces across the south west working together to tackle county lines drugs gangs, Dorset now has its own dedicated and proactive Operation Viper which will target those who come to our county to deal drugs.
“I am delighted to see the priorities of my Police and Crime Plan ‘in action’ in the shape of the new Neighbourhood Enforcement Team’s and I applaud the quick successes that they have already had – the statistics speak for themselves - significant amounts of illegal drugs seized, vehicles seized, 29 arrests made, 10 children protected – this is exactly the type of action that I and the residents of Dorset want to see from our police force.”
“Both the Chief Constable and I share the same tough stance on drugs and now Operation Viper is ready, willing and able to crush county lines, drive out drugs gangs and make Dorset a safer place to be.”