Operation Scorpion: The South West’s Battle Against Drug-Fuelled Crime

Public Reports Help South West Police Forces Tackle Drug-Related 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, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU), and the charity Crimestoppers. This joint effort aims to create a hostile environment for criminal gangs and individuals involved in drug dealing and related anti-social activities such as violence and theft.

Significant Seizures and Safeguarding Measures

During the last period of intensified activity under Operation Scorpion, authorities seized £814,000 worth of drugs and over £95,000 in cash across the South West. Additionally, 267 weapons were removed from the streets. In Devon and Cornwall alone, £370,000 worth of drugs and £20,000 of criminal cash were confiscated, and 73 people, including 16 children, were safeguarded. A total of 135 safeguarding referrals were made to prevent further harm to individuals caught up in illegal drug activities.

The Role of Public Intelligence

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Pearce emphasised the crucial role the public plays in aiding Devon & Cornwall Police to disrupt those profiting from drug-related harm in local communities. Pearce highlighted that every piece of intelligence received helps build a comprehensive picture, allowing specialist officers to assess risks and decide on appropriate actions.

“Something you’ve seen or heard may seem insignificant,” Pearce noted. “But your information could be the missing puzzle piece that the police need. It could help to catch a criminal and keep people in your community safe.”

Community Collaboration is Key

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, underscored the importance of community involvement in tackling drug misuse and associated criminality. Hernandez stated that the collective effort of the police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners, and the public aims to make Devon, Cornwall, and the entire region inhospitable to drug dealers and anti-social drug users.

“The intelligence you report to the police, anonymously or otherwise, is invaluable in helping to get drugs, dealers, anti-social behaviour, and weapons off our streets, and to safeguard vulnerable people who have been caught up in this vicious criminal world,” Hernandez said.

How to Report Information

If you have information about drug dealing or other suspicious activity, you can report it to Devon & Cornwall Police online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/intelligence or by calling 101. The information and identity of anyone reporting intelligence are protected. Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org. The StreetSafe app for iPhone or Android is also available for reporting.

Operation Scorpion continues to demonstrate the power of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the public in combating drug-fuelled crime and protecting communities in the South West.