Nearly 100 arrested as South West police forces unite to tackle illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation

Almost a hundred people have been arrested across the South West after police forces joined together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation (CCE).

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 South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), and the British Transport Police. By pooling resources, the partnership aims to disrupt drug supply and create a hostile environment for organised crime groups operating in the region.

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 and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson also joined officers on a warrant in Trowbridge on Wednesday 4 March to see firsthand how Wiltshire Police is tackling County Lines activity. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

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.

In total, across the South West:

• 59 people were safeguarded
• 92 people were arrested
• £54,915 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 was the most successful to date with more than 2,100 people arrested, 1,348 people safeguarded, 335 county lines dismantled and more than 600 weapons seized.

In Wiltshire:

• 24 people were safeguarded
• 26 people were arrested
• 52 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone's home to use it as a base for crime
• £380,000 worth of drugs seized
• £22,500 in cash seized
• 10 weapons seized – including six imitation firearms.

Last week’s Operation Scorpion, which ran alongside the national County Lines Intensification Week, was coordinated by Wiltshire Police. This phase of the operation focused particularly on Class A drugs and their links to missing people and children.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “This phase of Operation Scorpion shows the real impact of a coordinated South West approach, which Wiltshire has led on for this iteration. Our focus on Class A drug supply and vulnerable missing children has delivered some strong results and vital safeguarding.

“The ministerial visit demonstrated how a community focused force like Wiltshire can quickly build intelligence and disrupt county lines with precision. It reinforces why smaller, locally rooted forces matter as national policing reforms are discussed.

“We will continue strengthening our partnerships with schools, local services and community organisations to ensure young people are supported early, informed about the risks of exploitation, and equipped to seek help when they need it.”

Assistant Chief Constable Liz Coles from Wiltshire Police said: “Our mission is clear: keeping Wiltshire safe by removing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks.

“Protecting vulnerable people—especially children and young adults exploited by these gangs—remains at the heart of our work. When children go missing, their risk increases, and close partnership working is vital to keeping them safe.

“We see the harm this criminality brings to our towns and villages. This work doesn’t end with one week of action, we will continue to take a robust, proactive approach.

“Our message is simple: Wiltshire and the South West is no place for drugs. We all have a role in raising awareness, reporting concerns, and preventing harm.”

Officers visited schools to deliver inputs on County Lines and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), highlighting what exploitation looks like and where to seek help and support. In Wiltshire, officers and staff delivered 22 talks in education settings, speaking to nearly a thousand students about the risks and warning signs.

Teams also worked with Police Cadets as part of Hotel Watch, helping to raise awareness among hotel staff of how to spot signs of exploitation, including child sexual exploitation (CSE), modern slavery, other criminal activity, and the actions to take if they suspect something is happening on their premises. Of the 26 hotels visited, 11 failed the checks.

Wiltshire Police also worked with schools to test vapes. Of the 32 tested, two were found to contain THC and Spice.

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

Throughout this week Wiltshire Police has been raising awareness about the signs to look out for in children's behaviour that could indicate that they are being exploited.  This includes:

• 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

Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it to the police. You can do this online or by using the non-emergency 101 number.  You should always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can pass information anonymously to the independent charity CrimeStoppers, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or you can use their non-traceable online form.

Published Friday 13 March 2026