Dorset Police news site

Dorset Police is appealing to local communities to continue to report suspected drug-related crime and activity to the Force via a new intelligence portal so offenders can be targeted and communities safeguarded.

Drug-related crime and other associated offences, including theft and violence, has a significant impact on communities and tackling them remains a force priority.

Every year the Force takes action to disrupt individuals and criminal gangs who have been directly linked to illegal drug activity as a direct result of information and intelligence received from the public.

Organised criminal groups (OCGs) often take advantage of the most vulnerable in our communities by taking over their homes to set up base or recruiting them to transport drugs and cash across the county on the gangs’ behalf. Many of these victims can feel trapped and under the threat of violence or intimidation feel they have no other choice but to do as they are told.

Dorset Police is again joining forces with Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset as part of the regional intensification campaign, Operation Scorpion, to disrupt drug-related crime and share intelligence, to create a hostile environment for those intent on dealing their illegal drugs in the region.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, from Dorset Police, said: “I would like to thank the public, including our business communities, for coming forward and reporting information about drug-related activity to us.  

“The public of Dorset are our eyes and ears and our ability to bring criminals to justice and combat crime is greatly enhanced by the information and intelligence they provide us. If something doesn’t feel right, quite often it isn’t so please trust your instincts and tell us what you know.

“To make it even easier for the public to come forward, we have created an intelligence portal on our website www.dorset.police.uk. Every piece of information and intelligence has a value so if you have seen or heard something that you think we should know about, please come forward.

“The information and identity of anyone reporting intelligence to us is protected, but if you aren’t comfortable talking directly to us, you can report anything anonymously through our partners at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Every piece of intelligence that is received by Dorset Police helps to build a picture. Things may not be actioned immediately, but as more information and intelligence is gathered, it helps to build a picture which could lead to the police taking enforcement action, safeguarding a possible victim or identifying someone involved in crime.

Previously information from the public has helped identify large-scale cannabis grows and arrest and prosecute members of OCGs.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said “Community intelligence plays a vital role in combating drugs in our county. To anyone who wants to see direct action taken against drug dealers, I encourage you to share that important local intelligence and help the police to take action.

“Together we can send out a very clear message to criminals that our communities are no place for drugs and that together we can make Dorset the safest county.”

If you are concerned about drug related crime in your area, or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please report it to Dorset Police online at www.dorset.police.uk. If a crime is in process or a life is in danger, please dial 999.