• Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Bath Echo
  • Thursday 19th June 2025
  • Subscribe
  • Opinion
  • Reviews
  • Letters
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Jobs
  • Awards
Bath Echo

Bath, GB

  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
Home
News Headlines
Crime

Regional crackdown on drugs taking place across Avon and Somerset

Wednesday 6th July 2022 Bath Echo News Team Crime

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share

The second phase of a crackdown on drugs in the area is taking place this week, with Avon and Somerset Police joining regional colleagues to disrupt the supply of illegal substances.

Operations are taking place to prevent drug crime as well as preventative, educational and engagement work in communities.

Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between the five police forces in the South West region, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) and the charity CrimeStoppers.

The group are combining their resources to tackle drug supply in the region and make the South West a hostile environment for drugs.

Following a successful first phase operation in March, the second phase of Operation Scorpion will focus on the impact of drugs within local communities and highlight the intelligence police need from the public to help disrupt the drugs market, dismantle drugs supply networks and arrest those who profit from them.

Work this week will include:

  • Using information from communities to target and arrest drug offenders
  • Seizing illegal drugs and drug-related weapons
  • Working with partner agencies to support and help those vulnerable to exploitation
  • Working with partner agencies to provide support to those who are involved in drug use
  • Engaging with young people and communities to provide education around exploitation and drug harm
  • Carrying out high visibility patrols to disrupt activity in areas of drug misuse
  • Tackling drug waste and litter impacting local communities

Avon and Somerset Police’s lead for Operation Scorpion Superintendent Steve Kendall said: “In this phase of Op Scorpion, we’ll be reassuring our communities through high profile neighbourhood policing.

“Patrols will be targeted to disrupt street-level drug crime and we will be carrying out enforcement activities across the week, focusing on those who are profiteering from the damage and harm that drugs bring to our communities, including drug-related violence, theft and criminal damage.

“Alongside enforcement work we’ll be safeguarding vulnerable people who find themselves caught up in drug use and/or supply, through no fault of their own, working with a number of different partner agencies to help them to access treatment and support.

“We’ll also be continuing our ongoing educational and preventative work to ensure that young people are aware of the signs of grooming and exploitation and how to get help if they need it.

“We’ll be asking the public to play their part in looking out for and reporting signs of drug activity in our neighbourhoods.

“We need their help to support our partnership approach in tackling illegal drug supply within our communities.

“Together we can reinforce the message that Avon and Somerset is no place for drugs.”

Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should report it online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk or via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

To pass on information anonymously, the independent charity CrimeStoppers is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 and through a non-traceable online form. Contact will remain 100% anonymous.

They 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.

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Pin
Share
Next article New Methodist Church for Bath to hold first services this September
Previous article West of England’s collapsed housing plan deemed a “lost opportunity”

Related Stories

Magistrates give Bath charity pot thief a suspended jail sentence
Wednesday 18th June 2025

Magistrates give Bath charity pot thief a suspended jail sentence

CCTV appeal launched by police after man attacked in pub
Monday 16th June 2025

CCTV appeal launched by police after man attacked in pub

Bath student spared jail after biting graduate’s ear at party
Monday 16th June 2025

Bath student spared jail after biting graduate’s ear at party

...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow
...
Followers
Follow

Top Stories

Residents invited to have say on plans for new Fashion Museum

Residents invited to have say on plans for new Fashion Museum

Thursday 19th June 2025
Second attempt to replace unsafe cladding at apartment block

Second attempt to replace unsafe cladding at apartment block

Thursday 19th June 2025
Change of use of historic city pub on London Road is approved

Change of use of historic city pub on London Road is approved

Thursday 19th June 2025
Over 2,000 people head to Peasedown for Party in the Park event

Over 2,000 people head to Peasedown for Party in the Park event

Thursday 19th June 2025
More cycle hangars are installed across Bath amid controversy

More cycle hangars are installed across Bath amid controversy

Wednesday 18th June 2025
  • Business
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • What’s On
  • Traffic & Travel
  • Weather
  • Back to top
Created by Media Bath - Regulated by IMPRESS

About the Bath Echo | Your City, Your News

We're your local independent newspaper covering news and events across beautiful Bath and the close surrounding villages. We're here to help keep Bathonians in the know about what's going on in their city.

Useful Info

  • House Rules
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Social Media Policy
© Bath Echo 2025. All rights reserved.
Produced by Media Bath Limited