23 arrests made in Wiltshire as county lines drug gangs targeted
Operation Scorpion aims to make the south west hostile to criminals
Criminal drug activity has been targeted across the South West as part of a week-long regional crackdown.
Operation Scorpion see's Forces from across the region work together in an effort to make the South West hostile to criminals.
Officers from each constabulary use intelligence from local communities to tackle the issue during a week of intense action by Police.
Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said the week of intense action had been a success, with 23 arrests made - five of whom have been charged.
"We've lifted something like £50,000 worth of crack and heroin," he said, adding that he hopes the disruptions to criminal activity help reduce related criminal behaviour in the county.
Since the start of Operation Scorpion, the five constabularies in the south west have become some of the best performing in the country at interrupting county lines activity.
And Wiltshire are now the top force, although according to the PCC, it's a 'close run thing' with Gloucestershire Police.
Mr Wilkinson says the competition is driving performance within the force.
"I want to rev up Wilshire Police, as does the Chief Constable, to continually improve our performance," he said.
The PCC added that the intensification weeks help boost public awareness and gets the message around preventing child exploitation into schools.
And while the week was a success, the fight against drug gangs, and drug-related crime, rages on.
Mr Wilkinson says its vital we pass intelligence onto our local neighbourhood police teams, as tackling county lines is one of his top priorities.
"It is a huge priority because it's the plague of drugs that drives the antisocial behaviour and much of the criminal activity and behaviour in Wiltshire.
"So by tackling drugs, we're getting into the primary cause of crime."