Police urge communities to report drug-related crime

Devon & Cornwall Police is 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, has 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 base 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.”