Wiltshire leads regional effort to tackle organised crime

Last week, Wiltshire again demonstrated the strength of a united South West approach to tackling organised crime. Operation Scorpion brought together all five regional police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners, SWROCU and British Transport Police in a coordinated effort to disrupt drug supply and protect vulnerable people from exploitation. With Wiltshire Police leading this phase, the focus was on Class A drug supply and its clear links to missing children and child criminal exploitation.

Across Wiltshire, officers arrested 26 individuals, safeguarded 24 people and visited 52 cuckooed addresses, removing around £380,000 worth of drugs and more than £22,000 in cash from criminal networks. These results are more than enforcement statistics - each reflects harm prevented, a vulnerable person supported, or an organised crime group disrupted.  

I was pleased to welcome Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP to Trowbridge during the week of action, where she saw firsthand the professionalism of Wiltshire Police as they executed a warrant linked to County Lines. As I said at the time, this phase of Operation Scorpion shows the real impact of a coordinated South West approach. Wiltshire’s leadership has delivered strong results and vital safeguarding. 

The week also highlighted why locally rooted forces matter. Wiltshire Police acted quickly and precisely because of the strong relationships it holds with communities and partner agencies. Enforcement was only one part of the work. Officers visited schools across the county, speaking to nearly a thousand young people about exploitation and how to seek help. This early intervention plays a crucial role in preventing criminal networks from gaining a foothold in young people’s lives. Alongside this, teams worked with hotels, police cadets and local services to raise awareness of exploitation and identify those at risk. 

Protecting vulnerable people remains at the heart of this work. Organised crime groups rely on fear, silence and manipulation. By increasing awareness and supporting early reporting, we make Wiltshire a harder place for them to operate. Operation Scorpion shows again that our region is strongest when it stands together, and we will continue working to keep our communities safe.