Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner has called on the public to help police in their fight against drug crime by reporting anything suspicious seen in their communities.
As a new campaign launches with adverts on buses to draw attention to illegal drug dealing, David Sidwick is encouraging residents to come forward with information that could provide the missing piece of the puzzle for police.
Adverts urging people to ‘Tell us where the ‘deal’ is and we will deal it’ can now be seen on vehicles across Dorset’s MoreBus networks.
They aim to encourage residents to report their intelligence, either to the police directly or anonymously through the independent charity, Crimestoppers.
For more than two years, Dorset has been at the forefront of a county-lines busting initiative, Operation Scorpion.
Along with neighbouring police forces in Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, the respective Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners, British Transport Police, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the independent charity Crimestoppers, Op Scorpion has led the way in ensuring the south west region is a hostile environment for illegal drugs.
In the previous phase of the regional crackdown in October 2023, Dorset officers made 26 drug-related arrests and seized more than £93,000 worth of illegal drugs, along with 17 mobile phones during county-wide operations.
Police say the key to tackling county lines and drug supply is the information provided by members of the public.
The intelligence equips Dorset Police with the information required to disrupt county lines and safeguard vulnerable people.
Mr Sidwick said: “I am urging the people of Dorset to help us in our fight to drive these criminals out of our county by continuing to report the unusual or suspicious activity they see where they live and work.
“We need your eyes, ears, and expert knowledge.
“I want to be clear, what you see could be a bigger deal than you think.
“I know how damaging the effects of drugs can be for a community.
“Shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and vehicle crime are among just some of the offences often linked to drugs, and I want it to stop.
“But the police need your help to go further than ever; they can’t do this alone.”
There are a number of ways to report information. You can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or use their non-traceable form online. You can also use the StreetSafe app, a service which allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving your name, so it is also anonymous. Or you can report information and intelligence to police online at www.dorset.police.uk/
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