Between Monday 3 October and Sunday 9 October 2022 the Force took part in a national intensification week to disrupt county lines gangs operating across the country.
The aim of the intensification week was to make life as difficult as possible for suspected members of county lines drugs gangs, who often use violence and intimidation to exploit children and the vulnerable and force them to store and ‘run’ drugs for them.
This work has led to a considerable disruption of alleged county lines gangs in Dorset and has removed a large quantity of suspected class A drugs from the streets.
Over the course of the week Dorset officers carried out 48 cuckooing prevention visits, made 22 arrests and seized 146 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, £7,500 in cash, various weapons and 17 mobile phones. In total 27 people impacted by county lines were safeguarded.
The Operation Viper initiative aims to provide visibility, proactive enforcement and community engagement, as well as a dedicated County Lines Task Force, to disrupt incoming drug networks.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “This is another fine example of the work that Operation Viper does across Dorset and my thanks goes to everyone involved in this ongoing operation to take drugs off our streets. I am delighted to see Dorset Police taking robust action against county lines gangs across the county.
What are the key signs a child or young person could be at risk?
- Children travelling alone, especially if this is in school hours, late at night or on a regular basis. If they are being criminally exploited they may be sent significant distances and may be missing from home.
- They may lost or appear as though they are in unfamiliar surroundings.
- They may appear anxious, frightened or angry, but they may also appear disruptive or aggressive – a common response to trauma.
- They could be in possession of multiple phones.
- They might appear under the control or instruction of others, including people who are older than them and do not appear to be family members.
You may see them with large amounts of cash. - Signs of a child being at risk online, could include them talking about older or new friends they have met online, talking about gifts, money or in game credits they have received online, receiving large numbers of calls or messages, being worried about being away from their phone and having a new phone or more than one phone. Learn about online safety, talk to them about it and take as much interest in their friends online as you would offline friends.
To report suspected drug dealing in your community, please contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, please dial 999. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
