Hundreds of people safeguarded since launch of South West crackdown on drugs
An ongoing commitment by Wiltshire Police and other South West forces to collectively disrupt drug activity in the region has successfully resulted in the seizure of drugs worth more than £3million, over 1,580 arrests and hundreds of vulnerable people being safeguarded over the last four and a half years.
Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables from the five South West forces - Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire – pledged in October 2021 to harness the collective power of regional policing to make it a hostile environment for those who deal drugs and engage in antisocial drug taking activity.
Operation Scorpion was launched the following year with the first phase of week long co-ordinated activity taking place in March 2022. Since then, iterations have taken place every four months across all force areas at a regional and local level, with each one targeting a different drugs supply issue. The overarching theme is creating a “Ring of Steel” around the South West to prevent drugs from entering the region.
Multiple partners, including Crimestoppers, British Transport Police, the Regional Organised Crime Unit and Ministry of Defence Police have joined operations. Across the region, forces combined intelligence from communities, numberplate recognition technology and stop and search tactics as part of this intensification.
Last month the 15th Operation Scorpion – led by Devon & Cornwall Police – took place from June 22 to 28. The landmark iteration once again achieved great results, further adding to the successful outcomes previously achieved.
Across Wiltshire, the overall figures for the past 15 Operation Scorpions are:
- Arrests - 311
- Welfare - 114 people safeguarded
- Seized drugs - £684,900
- Seized weapons – 69
Across the South West, the overall figures are:
- Arrests - over 1,580
- Warrants – over 142
- Disruptions – over 2,210
- Welfare - over 1,380 people safeguarded
- Seized Drugs - over 160kg of seized drugs valued over £3m
- Cash Seized - over £1.1m
- Seized weapons - over 200
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Operation Scorpion demonstrates the real impact that can be achieved when police forces, partners and communities work together across regional boundaries. These results show not only a determined effort to disrupt organised drug crime, but also a commitment to protecting vulnerable people who are so often exploited by those involved in the drugs trade.
"By creating a hostile environment for offenders and continuing to target those who profit from harming our communities, we are making the South West a safer place to live, work and visit. I would like to thank all the officers, staff and partner agencies involved for their continued dedication in keeping our communities safe."
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said, “Operation Scorpion continues to deliver strong results through partnership working, disrupting drug networks and protecting communities across the South West. During the weeks of action, officers intensify enforcement activity, carry out targeted operations at transport hubs and known hotspots, and take action against properties linked to drug crime.
“Safeguarding remains central to the operation, with additional child protection and cuckooing visits, awareness work in schools and businesses, and close collaboration with partners to identify and support vulnerable people. County Lines exploitation can have devastating, lifelong consequences for children, and tackling it requires a collective effort.
“Police cannot fight this issue alone. The support of our communities, businesses, local authorities, charities and wider partners is vital in helping us identify those at risk, disrupt criminal activity and protect the most vulnerable. Together, we can reduce harm, tackle organised crime and make our communities safer for everyone.”
In the past, Operation Scorpion often ran the same week as County Lines intensification week for operational and resource purposes. Further weeks of intensification will continue this year and beyond.
Officers and staff of all the police forces and agencies involved in Operation Scorpion work tirelessly to investigate drug related crime, bring criminals to justice and safeguard vulnerable people exploited and harmed by these crimes all year round and on a daily basis.
Drug crime can be reported via the police by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Published Friday 10 July 2026
