New campaign launched to crack down on drug dealing in Dorset

Dorset's PCC is asking for the public's help to tackle drug crime

Author: Jamie GuerraPublished 2nd Mar 2024

People across Dorset are being asked to play a 'vital' role in helping Dorset Police tackle county lines and local drug dealing by reporting suspicious things they see happening in their communities.

Adverts are being plastered to the back of buses across the MoreBus network urging people to “Tell us where the ‘deal’ is and we will deal with it’.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick is encouraging residents to come forward with their information as it could provide the ‘missing piece of the puzzle’ for police.

He told us: “Building a case against a drug dealer is complex, they need a lot of evidence, and the public may very well have that.

“We did an operation a year ago which focussed on cannabis farms and some of those cannabis farms were taken out of circulation because of the information the public gave us.”

Dorset Police have identified members of the public as the key to tackling the scourge of county lines and drug supply.

PCC Sidwick said: “We’re looking to get as much information as possible to really make a difference and put an end to an issue that affects people's lives.

“Intelligence equips Dorset Police with the information required to disrupt county lines and safeguard vulnerable people.”

For more than two years, Dorset has been at the forefront of a county-lines busting initiative, Operation Scorpion which has led the way in ensuring the south west is a hostile environment for illegal drugs.

In the previous phase of the regional crackdown in October 2023, Dorset officers made 26 drug-related arrests and seized more than £93,000 worth of illegal drugs, along with 17 mobile phones during county-wide operations.

PCC Sidwick added: “Drug dealing is at the bedrock of a lot of issues we have in society.

“It contributes to 50% of all thefts, 70% of all shoplifting incidents and 50% of all murders in this country, so not only does it harm the induvial abusing drugs but it also hurts the wider community.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick standing outside a bus with Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne

There are a number of ways to report information. You can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or use their non-traceable form online.

You can also use the StreetSafe app, a service which allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving your name, so it is also anonymous.

Or you can report information and intelligence to police online at www.dorset.police.uk/intelligence or call the Force on 101.

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