Ninety-eight drug disruptions carried out across Avon and Somerset
Avon and Somerset Police officers carried out a range of targeted activities and patrols in identified hotspot areas across the force area, including Bath and Bristol.
Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between the five police forces in the Southwest region (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, Southwest Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the independent charity CrimeStoppers. This partnership combines resources to tackle drug supply across the region and make the Southwest a hostile environment for drugs.
Phase three of Operation Scorpion ran over three weekends from the 18th of November to the 3rd of December and focused on the supply and use of drugs in the night-time economy.
Avon and Somerset Police activity resulted in:
• 98 drug disruptions
• 7 arrests,
• 4 charges
• Class A & B drugs seized
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Shelford said: “As your PCC, preventing and fighting crime is my top priority. Drug crime results in devastating consequences for the vulnerable individuals involved and damages the wider community.”
“Social drug use should not be perceived as ‘normal’ and recent Operation Scorpion activity targeted the supply and use of drugs within the night-time economy. I am proud of the proactive work Avon and Somerset Police carried out for this phase and appreciate the support we received from the charity CrimeStoppers. I hope that the charities digital messaging and advan at target locations has enabled more local people to understand the devastating consequences these crimes have on others.
“I am committed this collaborative partnership approach to support sending the clear message that the Southwest is no place for drugs.”
Phase three of Operation Scorpion resulted in the collective seizure of more than five kilos of drugs and tens of thousands of pounds worth of cash during this region-wide crackdown. The overall police results for this phase are:
• £51,853 cash seized
• 649 drug disruptions
• 70 arrests, 8 charges
• 22 people safeguarded
• Around 3.5kg of Class B drugs and 2.2kg of Class A drugs
Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it to their local police service online or via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.
To pass on information anonymously, speak to the independent charity CrimeStoppers 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or use their non-traceable online form. Contact will remain 100% anonymous. Always.
CrimeStoppers will never ask for a name or contact details and the phone call or online report will never be traced. If the information supplied leads to an arrest and charge, there could be a cash reward of up to £1,000.