Illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation targeted by Police in South West

Almost a hundred people were arrested across the South West last week after police forces joined together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.

Operation Scorpion brings together the five South West police forces; Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, alongside their respective Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU). By pooling resources, the partnership aims to disrupt drug supply and create a hostile environment for organised crime groups operating in the region. It coincided with a national week of intensification on county lines.

During a coordinated week of action, officers and staff worked jointly to arrest suspected dealers, seize drugs and weapons, and safeguard vulnerable people. Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP also joined officers on a warrant in Trowbridge on Wednesday 4 March to see firsthand how South West forces are tackling County Lines activity.

A range of enforcement activity was carried out across the week, including arrest and search warrants, targeted vehicle stops, and the use of drones to track suspected offenders. Vulnerable individuals were also identified and given details of support services after their numbers were found on seized phones. Officers and police staff also engaged with children and adults to raise awareness of exploitation of vulnerable people by criminal gangs.

In total, across the South West:

• 59 people were safeguarded
• 92 people were arrested
• £54915 cash was seized
• More than £446,000 worth of drugs were seized
• 29 weapons seized including a knuckleduster, two batons and 6 imitation firearms

Nationally the week of action on county lines was the most successful to date with more than 2,100 people arrested, 1,348 people safeguarded, 335 county lines seized and more than 600 weapons seized.

In Devon & Cornwall:

• 17 people were safeguarded (14 adults, 3 under 18)
• 17 people were arrested
• 14 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone's home to use it as a base for crime
• 1.5g of crack seized
• 0.15g heroin seized
• 2239.8g cocaine seized
• 50g of cannabis resin seized
• £12,013 in cash seized
• 7 weapons seized – including 4 air weapons, 1 knuckleduster and 1 telescopic baton

Additionally Devon & Cornwall Police Officers and Youth Engagement Team visited schools and delivered awareness presentations alongside Designated Safeguarding Leads about county lines and exploitation to children in 9 schools across Cornwall, and local police teams conducted high visibility patrols and engaged with the public in areas known for drug activity in Plymouth, Exeter and Camborne.

An awareness campaign coordinated across the region ran across social media, with targeted TikTok and Snapchat adverts designed to reach young people where they spend much of their time; online.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland of Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Keeping communities in Devon and Cornwall safe by seizing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks is our clear mission.

“Protecting vulnerable people exploited by criminals, especially children and young adults, remains at the heart of our work. If children go missing it’s a key indicator of child criminal exploitation, and the risk to them increases.

“We see the harm that drug related criminality brings to our communities, and so this work doesn’t end with one week of action. We will continue to take a robust, proactive approach to disrupting drug supply and tackling associated anti-social behaviour and exploitation..

“Devon and Cornwall and the wider South West is no place for drugs. You can help us and our partner agencies by reporting any suspicions or concerns..”

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I would like to thank members of the public who continue to report drug crime either via the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We don’t tolerate drugs in our region.

“Alongside the efforts of the police to disrupt organised criminal groups we also need to tackle the root causes of drug use. That’s why I am such an advocate of organisations that work to deliver effective treatment for those battling drug addiction and protect young people from exploitation. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with drug abuse, or knows someone who is, to reach out for support.”

These are some of the signs to look out for in a child’s behaviour that could indicate that they are being exploited. 

• often going missing from home or school and being found away from their normal area
• unexplained money, clothes, designer wear, jewellery, gadgets or mobile phones
• having multiple mobile phones
• committing theft/shoplifting
• relationships with older people
• carrying weapons 
• significant emotional changes (like becoming angry or sad), or becoming fearful, withdrawn or isolated
• traveling alone and at unusual times

Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity or who has concerns about a vulnerable child or adult should report it to the police. You can do this online at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/  or by using the non-emergency 101 number.  You should always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can pass information completely anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or by using its untraceable online form here https://crimestoppers-uk.org/