Nearly 100 people have been arrested across the South West after police forces joined together in a major crackdown on illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.
The coordinated operation, known as Operation Scorpion, brought together the region’s five police forces: Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire alongside the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, British Transport Police and local Police and Crime Commissioners.
The week of action aimed to disrupt drug supply and protect vulnerable people who may be exploited by organised crime networks linked to County Lines activity.
During the operation, officers carried out arrest and search warrants, targeted vehicle stops and used drones to track suspected offenders. Vulnerable people were also identified and offered support after their phone numbers were found on seized devices.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones joined Wiltshire Police officers on a warrant in Trowbridge on Wednesday 4th March to see first-hand how the force is tackling County Lines drug activity.
A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Results across the South West during the week of action resulted in:
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92 arrests
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59 people safeguarded
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£54,915 in cash seized
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More than £446,000 worth of drugs seized
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29 weapons seized, including a knuckleduster, two batons and six imitation firearms
Nationally, the County Lines Intensification Week saw more than 2,100 arrests, 1,348 people safeguarded, 335 county lines dismantled, and over 600 weapons seized.
In Wiltshire alone, police reported:
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26 arrests
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24 people safeguarded
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52 “cuckooed” addresses visited - where criminals take over a vulnerable person’s home to use it as a base for drug dealing
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£380,000 worth of drugs seized
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£22,500 in cash seized
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10 weapons recovered, including six imitation firearms
The Wiltshire phase of Operation Scorpion focused particularly on Class A drugs and links between County Lines activity and missing children.
Assistant Chief Constable Liz Coles said: “We see the harm this criminality brings to our towns and villages. 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.
“Our message is simple: Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs.”
Alongside enforcement activity, officers also carried out awareness work in schools and local businesses.
Police delivered 22 talks in education settings, speaking to nearly 1,000 students about the risks and warning signs of County Lines exploitation.
Teams also visited 26 hotels as part of the Hotel Watch initiative, helping staff recognise signs of exploitation such as child sexual exploitation, modern slavery and other criminal activity. Of those visited, 11 hotels failed the checks.
Wiltshire Police also worked with schools to test vapes confiscated from students. Of the 32 tested, two were found to contain THC and Spice.
A coordinated awareness campaign also ran across social media, including targeted adverts on TikTok and Snapchat designed to reach young people online.
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said the operation demonstrated the impact of a coordinated regional approach.
“This phase of Operation Scorpion shows the real impact of a coordinated South West approach, which Wiltshire has led on for this iteration,” he said.
“Our focus on Class A drug supply and vulnerable missing children has delivered some strong results and vital safeguarding.”
Police are also encouraging the public to report concerns about drug activity or exploitation.
Anyone with information can contact police online or by calling 101, or report anonymously via the charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, people should always dial 999.
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