Help to Make Devon Drug Free

Police are appealing to local communities to report drug-related crime and activity so they can target offenders and keep local communities safe.

Drug-related crime and other associated offences, including theft and violence, have a significant impact on communities, and tackling them remains a force priority.

Every year the Force takes action to disrupt individuals and criminal gangs who have been directly linked to illegal drug activity across the two counties as a result of information and intelligence from the public.

Information reported to the Force and Crimestoppers means we are able to build up a picture of what illegal activity is happening in communities and use the intelligence to inform how and where operational activity should be targeted.

Organised criminal groups (OCGs) often take advantage of the most vulnerable in our communities by taking over their homes to set up bases or recruiting them to transport drugs and cash across the county on the gangs’ behalf. Many of these victims can feel trapped and under the threat of violence or intimidation feel they have no other choice but to do as they are told.

Devon & Cornwall Police is again joining forces with Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset as part of the regional intensification campaign, Operation Scorpion, to disrupt drug-related crime and share intelligence, to create a hostile environment for those intent on dealing their illegal drugs in the region.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Parker, from Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “The public of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have more eyes and ears than our officers do and our ability to bring criminals to justice and combat crime is greatly enhanced by the information and intelligence they provide us.

“My message to our communities is very simple: if something doesn’t feel right, quite often it isn’t so trust your instincts and please tell us what you know.

“Every piece of information and intelligence has a value. If you have seen or heard something that you think we should know about, you can report it to us online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. The information and identity of anyone reporting intelligence to us is protected, but if you aren’t comfortable talking directly to the police, you can report anything anonymously through our partners at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Every piece of intelligence that is received by Devon & Cornwall Police helps to build a picture.  Things may not be actioned immediately, but as more information and intelligence is gathered, it helps to build a picture that could lead to enforcement action being taken, safeguarding a possible victim or identifying someone involved in crime.

Previously information from the public has helped identify cannabis grows and prosecute criminals. During the last Op Scorpion campaign, community information enabled officers to identify and disrupt a large-scale cannabis factory at a disused nightclub in Torquay, which saw drugs with an estimated street value of between £116,480 and £349,440 seized.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “This summer after intelligence was provided by the local community, police raided a former nightclub in my hometown and found a sophisticated and considerable drug supply operation that had been hidden in plain sight.

“The grower was imprisoned and dangerous drugs worth many tens of thousands of pounds were destroyed. The police will take action to catch drug dealers and protect communities but they need us all to work alongside them to pass on information about suspicious activity.”

If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area, or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police online at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. If a crime is in progress or a life is in danger, please dial 999.