Crime, Dorset, Film & Theatre | Posted on December 9th, 2024 | return to news
Police make 95 arrests and seize cash and drugs in Dorset
An Operation Scorpion campaign from 25 November to 1 December focused on child criminal exploitation and targeted county lines.
A total of 95 people were arrested and £47,863 cash seized in an Operation Scorpion campaign running from 25 November to Sunday 1 December.
In addition, £47,863 cash, 37kg of suspected cannabis, 564 suspected cannabis plants and 3.7kg of suspected cocaine was seized and 107 people were safeguarded, including 32 children.
The week of activity had a particular focus on child criminal exploitation (CCE), where criminals groom and exploit young people into carrying out crimes on their behalf. This often involves drugs and county lines, as gangs use children and vulnerable people to sell drugs and move money.
Across the week, officers worked with partners to conduct a range of community-led engagement activities on CCE, including talks in schools, educational stalls at high-footfall locations in towns and cuckooing checks for vulnerable adults and children.
A range of enforcement activity also took place, as warrants across the counties resulted in tens of thousands of pounds of cash being seized and Class A and B drugs being taken off the streets.
In Dorset, activity during the week included operations targeting two suspected high harm county lines as well as safeguarding checks, high visibility patrols and joint working with partners and other forces.
A total of 21 people were arrested, with four subsequently charged. Six children were safeguarded, two suspected county lines were closed and a number of weapons were seized including a stun gun, air weapons and various knives.
Seizures included around £20,000 in cash, more than £15,000 worth of suspected cocaine and more than £200,000 worth of suspected cannabis.
An operation by Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) targeted a suspected county line which was reportedly linked to child exploitation and resulted in three arrests.
In the BCP area, a total of three suspected cannabis factories were located and dismantled.
In North Dorset, local neighbourhood officers were supported by the Force Support Group, Special Constabulary and officers from East Dorset Neighbourhood Policing Team as they executed a warrant at an address in Shaftesbury.
A quantity of suspected class A drugs were located – including more than 300 grams of what was believed to be amphetamine – as well as class B drugs. A suspected stun gun device and an extendable baton were also reportedly located at the address.
Four people were arrested in connection with the incident.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “The success of this latest intensification week further demonstrates our commitment to relentlessly pursuing those involved in the supply of class A drugs in our communities, and by working with our regional partners it gives us the best chance of disrupting the supply networks.
“We are also very much aware that there is often exploitation of young people and other vulnerable individuals linked to the reported supply of class A drugs and this latest Operation Scorpion has seen us focus on raising awareness of the signs that someone may be being exploited.
“As ever, we remain indebted to our local communities for reporting information, not only in relation to suspected drug related activity, but also in relation to the possibility that someone may be the subject of exploitation. For more information on what to look for, visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines/.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “These results serve to highlight why Operation Scorpion is such an important tool in making not only Dorset, but the South West as a whole, a hostile environment for illegal drugs and those who peddle them.
“Shutting down two suspected county lines, recovering weapons including zombie knives and a stun gun, and seizing more than £200,000 of suspected cannabis are terrific results and go some way towards making Dorset a safer place to be.
“Alongside the warrants and robust enforcement from the Force, this iteration of Operation Scorpion was also about raising awareness and tackling exploitation, so it is reassuring to see that six children were also safeguarded during this week. Dorset Police’s work goes way beyond arrests and warrants, it enables vulnerable people in our communities to be protected and that is vital in our fight against illegal drugs.
“These results would not be possible without the crucial intelligence reported by members of the public and that’s why I would urge people in Dorset to continue to tell us about issues in your community. Your report could be the missing piece of the puzzle and help to make results like these possible, and Dorset #NoPlaceForDrugs.
“Our work in Dorset will continue apace – targeting criminality, taking drugs off the streets, smashing county lines, safeguarding vulnerable people and working closely with our neighbouring forces to put a ring of steel around the South West.”
You can report information about suspected drug related activity at www.dorset.police.uk and hit the ‘Report Your Intelligence’ icon on the homepage to share what you know. Alternatively, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling on 0800 555 111 or via their website. If a crime is in progress, always dial 999.
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