Operation Scorpion

Operation Scorpion is a collaborative initiative between the five police forces in the South West region—Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire—alongside their respective Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU). Its purpose is to make the South West a hostile environment for illegal drugs and associated criminality.

The operation focuses on tackling drug supply networks, particularly those linked to county lines, where organised criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, including children, to transport and sell drugs. A key priority is addressing child criminal exploitation (CCE), which involves grooming young people into committing crimes on behalf of gangs, often through coercion, bribery, and threats of violence.

Operation Scorpion combines enforcement activity—such as executing warrants and disrupting organised crime—with safeguarding measures to protect those at risk. Police work closely with partners to deliver community engagement, educational campaigns, and awareness initiatives aimed at helping parents, carers, and young people spot the signs of exploitation and seek support.

The message is clear: the South West is no place for drugs. Through joint intelligence, shared resources, and a borderless approach to policing, Operation Scorpion strives to reduce harm, dismantle criminal networks, and create safer communities for everyone.

If you have concerns or information about drug-related crime or exploitation, you can report anonymously via Fearless.org or CrimeStoppers (0800 555 111). Or report online to Wiltshire Police.

To watch our #noplacefordrugs #MakingWiltshireSafer videos visit
South West regional crack down on drugs #NoPlaceForDrugs - YouTube