More than 100 arrests made during coordinated week of police activity targeting drug supply

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

Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between the South West’s five police forces (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police and South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) which sees resources combined to tackle drug supply and make the region a hostile environment for organised crime groups.

During a week of coordinated activity, police officers and staff worked collectively to apprehend suspected dealers, seize drugs and weapons, and safeguard vulnerable people.

A range of enforcement activity took place, including the execution of arrest and search warrants, vehicle stops and the use of drones to track suspected dealers.

In addition, vulnerable people were safeguarded, with several people identified from the phones seized from suspected dealers and sent text messages with details of support services.

In total, across the South West:

• 112 people were arrested
• £67,329 cash was seized
• 52kg of cannabis was confiscated, including 868 cannabis plants
• Three guns were recovered, plus five imitation firearms
• 19 other weapons seized, such as knives, hammers and Tasers
• 48 people were safeguarded, including five children

In Gloucestershire, there were:

• 10 arrests made, with three people since charged
• £9,754 cash seized
• Two adults were safeguarded
• One gun seized

Last week’s Operation Scorpion, which was coordinated by Gloucestershire Constabulary, had a particular focus on CCE – where criminals groom and exploit young people into carrying out crimes on their behalf.

Officers visited schools where they gave inputs to children on county lines and CCE, highlighting what it looks like and where to get help and support.

A coordinated awareness campaign was also run on social media, with targeted TikTok and SnapChat adverts designed to reach young people where they spend much of their time - online.

In Gloucestershire, teenagers from local colleges were also guided through Sam's Alley – an interactive alleyway within SkillZone which is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Children and young people were challenged to make safe choices as they walk through the alley and 'Sam' asks them to deliver a package for him in return for money.

Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone said: “Organised crime groups and other criminals don’t recognise county boundaries which is why it is important police forces work together to share intelligence and coordinate resources to stop them from operating.

“Children and young people were very much at the heart of this edition of Operation Scorpion, along with communities affected by drug use and supply.

“As well as carrying out a range of enforcement activities, officers and staff across the region worked directly with young people and tried new and innovative ways of reaching them to warn and educate them about the dangers of drugs and those who may seek to take advantage of them.

“This week’s operation shows that police across the South West are committed to protecting our communities by proactively disrupting drug dealers and organised criminals, many of which unscrupulously exploit vulnerable people, including children.”

Chris Nelson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire said:
"Operation Scorpion demonstrates the power of collaboration and partnership working.

“By working together across the South West, we are sending a clear message that these criminal networks will not be tolerated. Protecting our communities, especially our children and young people, is at the heart of this work.

“Taking illegal drugs fuels organised criminal groups and other criminality, such as the human trafficking of youngsters, and is definitely not a victimless crime.

“Alongside police enforcement, we as an OPCC are committed to prevention and education, giving young people the tools and support they need to stay safe and make the right choices.

“This operation shows that we will continue to invest in both strong policing and community engagement to make Gloucestershire and the wider region no place for drugs.”

Regional Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, of the South West ROCU, said: “This operation once again shows our region’s determination to target and disrupt the organised crime groups who are looking to make huge profits supplying drugs across the South West, while exploiting our young people and causing real harm in our communities.

“As well as the drugs and weapons taken off our streets, we’ve seen brilliant work to educate and protect young people and targeted appeals for community intelligence to help drive future policing operations.”

Anyone who suspects drug dealing or suspicious activity is taking place in their community can report it to either Crimestoppers anonymously or police.

You can report this to police online by using the following form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/

You can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/