Wiltshire Police to crackdown on drug use this winter

There's to be a special police operation in Wiltshire this winter to crack down the use of drugs.

Anyone who deals or takes cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy on nights out will be targeted.

We're told officers will 'shift their focus' onto 'engaging' with users, as well as tackling dealers.

Operation Scorpion is a joint effort from five police forces - Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Avon & Somerset and Devon & Cornwall - and will start next month.

How will it work?

Drug users will be offered help and support and encouraged to consider the harmful effects of drugs on health and the violence and criminality involved in the supply chain.

It's expected that multiple arrests, warrants and seizures will be made.

Police and Crime Commissioners in the South West are challenging the term ‘recreational’ often used to describe drugs like cocaine and cannabis, instead describing them as ‘illegal gateway drugs’.

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said:

“Wiltshire is not a soft option for those who choose to blight our county with illegal drugs – recent operations to dismantle and disrupt drugs supplies have been proving successful, as well as increased opportunities to rehabilitate offenders and drug abusers will have a positive effect on our communities.

“Middle class drug use – or dabbling in recreational use at weekends - isn’t harmless fun, and the wider community are often left to deal with the very real consequences, including the exploitation of vulnerable people and children to move drugs around the country alongside the increasing violence which goes hand-in-hand with drug gangs.

“All those who partake in the illegal drugs trade have blood on their hands, and no longer will they be able to seek benefit from the exploitation of vulnerable people.”

Operation Scorpion has been running across the South West for a few months.

So far, it's resulted in 127 arrests and 465 disruptions to drugs lines.

There's been more than £180,000 in cash seized, along with weapons and drugs; and a total of 297 vulnerable people safeguarded and offered support.

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