South West police forces work with communities in regional crackdown on drugs
It's part of the latest phase of Operation Scorpion
Last updated 20th Oct 2023
Police forces across the South West have been working with communities in a regional crackdown on drugs.
It's part of phase six of Operation Scorpion, following five phases which have been described as "successful".
The operation coincided with the national County Lines Intensification Week, which ran from 9 to 15 October 2023, during which forces have clamped down on county lines activity in communities.
Operation Scorpion focuses on pooling resources to combat drug supply in the region in an effort to make the South West a hostile environment for drugs.
Throughout the week, forces asked the public to assist them by reporting intelligence linked to drugs activity - no matter how big or small.
As a result of community intelligence and operational focus during the week of action, county lines were disrupted, vulnerable people safeguarded, and educational support was provided to young people and families.
Operation Scorpion phase six results in Devon and Cornwall:
- 36 Disruptions
- 36 Arrests
- 9 Charges
- Over £90,000 worth of drugs seized
- £54,800 cash seized
- 12 Mobile phones seized
- 14 Weapons seized
- 2 Vehicles seized
- 6 Adults safeguarded
- 10 Children safeguarded
Devon and Cornwall Police's Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Steve Parker said: "We asked the public to play their part in looking for and reporting signs of drug activity in our neighbourhoods.
"We need their assistance to support our collaborative approach to combating illegal drug supply in our communities. Together, we can reinforce the message that drugs have no place in Devon and Cornwall.
"We made several arrests as a result of valuable community intelligence. The public is familiar with their surroundings and can detect unusual or suspicious activity. Sharing this information with police is extremely beneficial to us in developing an intelligence picture.
"This week of action was aimed to demonstrate our collective commitment, across the South West, to make the region a safe place – a hostile environment for illegal drug use and exploitation."
WATCH: Results from a previous Operation Scorpion
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "People living in our force area are sick of those using and dealing drugs in our communities.
"Illegal drugs blight the lives of so many, whether it’s children and vulnerable people being exploited by county lines gangs or neighbourhoods made to feel unsafe because of violence and antisocial behaviour linked to drug use.
"Tackling the misery caused by drugs is one of the priorities in my police and crime plan, and so I am pleased to see how successful this operation has been in taking illegal substances, weapons and those who use and deal them off the streets.
"This latest week of action yet again proves how effective partnership working can be in tackling these issues, and I welcome the hard work of everyone who has helped us to the message to those involved in criminal activity that the South West is no place for drugs."
Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between the South West's five police forces: Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire; their respective Police and Crime Commissioners; the British Transport Police; the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU); and the charity Crimestoppers.