Dorset Police news site

Almost a hundred people have been arrested across the South West after police forces joined together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation (CCE).

Operation Scorpion brings together the five South West police forces; Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, alongside their respective Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the British Transport Police. By pooling resources, the partnership aims to disrupt drug supply and create a hostile environment for organised crime groups operating in the region.

During a coordinated week of action, officers and staff worked jointly to arrest suspected dealers, seize drugs and weapons, and safeguard vulnerable people.

A range of enforcement activity was carried out, including arrest and search warrants, targeted vehicle stops, and the use of drones to track suspected offenders. Vulnerable individuals were also identified and supported, with multiple people contacted directly after their numbers were found on seized phones and provided with details of support services.

In total, across the South West:

• 59 people were safeguarded
• 92 people were arrested
• £54,915 cash was seized
• More than £446,000 worth of drugs were seized
• 29 weapons seized including a knuckleduster, two batons and 6 imitation firearms

Nationally the week of action was the most successful to date with more than 2,100 people arrested, 1,348 people safeguarded, 335 county lines dismantled and more than 600 weapons seized.

In Dorset, there were:

• 17 people safeguarded 
• 47 people arrested
• At least 15 cuckooed addresses visited – where criminals take over someone's home to use it as a base for crime
• 2.47g of heroin seized
• At least £30,000 worth of cocaine seized
• 99g of cannabis seized
• £13,402.85 in cash seized
• 11 weapons seized – including bladed objects, a pava and a crossbow
• 18 warrants executed with support from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and Trading Standards

Last week’s Operation Scorpion, which ran alongside the national County Lines Intensification Week, was coordinated by Wiltshire Police. This phase of the operation focused particularly on Class A drugs and their links to missing people and children.

As well as carrying out proactive warrants, officers in Dorset worked with schools and taxi drivers to raise awareness around child exploitation and highlight its warning signs.

They also worked with police cadets as part of Hotel Watch, helping to raise awareness among hotel staff on how to spot signs of exploitation, including child sexual exploitation (CSE), modern slavery, other criminal activity, and the actions to take if they suspect something is happening on their premises.

A coordinated awareness campaign ran across social media, with targeted TikTok and Snapchat adverts designed to reach young people where they spend much of their time - online.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Halford, of Dorset Police, said: “During a week of action as part of Operation Scorpion, we have shut down county lines, seized weapons, cash and illegal drugs, disrupted criminality and safeguarded those being exploited.

“The results we achieved highlight that working together across the region offers the best opportunity to tackle suspected criminal networks who are operating across our Force areas and exploiting vulnerable people.

“We want to be clear that we will continue to target those involved in the suspected supply of illegal drugs in Dorset, as we fully recognise the impact they are having on our communities.

“I would urge members of the public to report any information or intelligence around suspected drug related activity so we can continue to make real and positive changes.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “Once again the latest round of Operation Scorpion has demonstrated the success of close collaboration, robust enforcement and effective safeguarding in tackling the issue of illegal drugs across the region.

“The action taken with partners across the south west reinforces the message that Dorset is no place for illegal drugs and we will not tolerate these offences in our area.

“In Dorset, officers made double the number of arrests during this latest phase of activity and removed illegal drugs and weapons from our streets, underlining the commitment to disrupting criminal networks.

“Smashing the gangs and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation remains a top priority and I want to say thank you to everyone involved in this targeted action, which has delivered once again for the people of Dorset, making our communities even safer.”

Assistant Chief Constable Liz Coles from Wiltshire Police said: “Our mission is clear: keeping Wiltshire safe by removing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks.

“Protecting vulnerable people—especially children and young adults exploited by these gangs—remains at the heart of our work. When children go missing, their risk increases, and close partnership working is vital to keeping them safe.

“We see the harm this criminality brings to our towns and villages. This work doesn’t end with one week of action, we will continue to take a robust, proactive approach.

“Our message is simple: Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs. We all have a role in raising awareness, reporting concerns, and preventing harm.”

Dorset Police has also been raising awareness about the signs to look out for in children's behaviour that could be a sign that they are being exploited.  This includes:

• often going missing from home or school and being found away from their normal area
• unexplained money, clothes, designer wear, jewellery, gadgets or mobile phones
• having multiple mobile phones
• committing theft/shoplifting
• relationships with older people
• carrying weapons 
• significant emotional changes (like becoming angry or sad), or becoming fearful, withdrawn or isolated

If you suspect illegal drug activity is happening where you live, please report to the police.

Call 101 or report online at www.dorset.police.uk. If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.