Public reports help South West police forces to tackle the scourge of drug fuelled crime
Operation Scorpion is a well-established collaboration between the five police forces in the South West region (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) and the charity Crimestoppers.
The operation is aimed at making Dorset and the rest of the South West a hostile environment for criminal gangs and individuals who deal drugs and those who engage in anti-social activity associated with drugs such as antisocial behaviour, violence and theft. The focus of Operation Scorpion is now on targeting drug dealing where it is linked to weapons and violence, and ridding high harm areas of drug-related anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: “I can’t overemphasise how important a part the public play in helping Dorset Police to build an intelligence picture of drugs activity.
“Any piece of information linked to drugs activity, no matter how big or small, can help police disrupt those who are profiting from the damage and harm that drugs bring to local communities. In turn, disrupting the activity of these gangs and individuals reduces the associated blight of antisocial behaviour, violence and theft that accompanies it.
“I want to be absolutely clear – drugs and the crime and criminals associated with them have no place in Dorset, and through the enormous amounts of intelligence we receive from the public, and which our teams examine and collate and turn into actions, we know who you are and where you are. We will get you.”
Something you’ve seen or heard may seem insignificant. But your information could be the missing puzzle piece that police need. Every piece of intelligence that is received by Dorset Police helps to build a picture. Specialist officers look at all information received and assess the risk to a person and decide on the appropriate course of action.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “I know the harmful impact illegal drugs have on our communities across Dorset. I want to assure you work to robustly tackle the gangs intent on bringing drugs to Dorset and the wider south west is relentless.
“By harnessing our collective power with neighbouring Forces across the region, we are absolutely focused on driving out organised crime groups, seizing their money and weapons, and protecting people from their vile trade.
“The public’s help in tackling these vile offences which blight our communities is vital, as was demonstrated during an earlier phase of Operation Scorpion this year when £77,000 worth of drugs were seized, and 37 arrests made in Dorset. By telling Dorset Police or Crimestoppers what you’ve seen where you live or work, you play a crucial part in making Dorset #NoPlaceForDrugs.”
If you have information about drug dealing or other activity where you live, please report it to Dorset Police online at dorset.police.uk/intelligence or by calling 101. The information and identity of anyone reporting intelligence to Dorset Police is protected, but if you aren't comfortable talking directly to police, you can report anything anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org. You can also report through the StreetSafe app for iPhone or Android https://www.police.uk/streetsafe
