AVON and Somerset Police officers carried out "almost 700 acts of disruption" in a clampdown on drug supply and associated crime.

It was part of the South West-wide Operation Scorpion involving police forces working with Police and Crime Commissioners, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Crimestoppers.

Avon and Somerset officers completed:

  • 17 arrests for drug-related offences, including drug importation and drug driving;
  • 12 warrants in relation to properties and people linked to drug supply;
  • two county lines disrupted;
  • thousands of pounds worth of class A drugs and cannabis seized;
  • 147 visits or safeguarding checks on vulnerable people;
  • 45 educational visits to schools;
  • additional patrols and preventative operations including drug and weapon sweeps in areas of high demand for drug dealing or misuse.

Police received several intelligence reports that will be used to help better direct resources going forward and safeguard vulnerable people.

Avon and Somerset force lead for Op Scorpion Supt Steve Kendall said: “I’m very proud of everything that our officers and partners achieved last week, whilst also managing incredibly high demand on our response teams.

"They have run an incredibly successful, targeted, approach to tackling drug crime in our local communities, using intelligence from members of the public to make successful arrests and prevent further harm, visiting vulnerable people and working with partners to safeguard them against exploitation and drug misuse.

“The results speak for themselves, and we’ve had some great engagement from people living in communities affected by drug crime who have been pleased to see our officers taking action in their local neighbourhoods.

“It’s important to stress that our work doesn’t end here. Our officers are constantly using information and reports to prevent and disrupt drug crime within our force area, and we encourage anyone who is affected by it to get in touch and report it.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Shelford, said: “Collectively with colleagues across the South West, we are sending a strong message to both criminals and our communities that we are intent on making the South West no place for drugs.

“The first priority in my Police and Crime Plan is preventing and fighting crime and, not only does this include important enforcement activity, but also education work to make our communities a safer place.”