Weapons seized and 92 arrested in drugs crackdown
BBCPolice have seized weapons and arrested nearly 92 people across the south west of England in a week of action on illegal drugs and child exploitation.
Operation Scorpion targeted gangs who use young people to traffic drugs into the region from major cities.
Devon and Cornwall Police said vulnerable people were also identified and given details of support services after their numbers were found on seized phones.
Det Ch Supt Sheon Sturland said: "Keeping communities in Devon and Cornwall safe by seizing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers and disrupting county lines networks is our clear mission."
The seven-day operation was run by five police forces, including Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, British Transport Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
'Cuckooed addresses'
Devon and Cornwall Police said it carried out arrest and search warrants, targeted vehicle stops and used drones to track suspected offenders.
Across the two counties, 17 people were arrested, £12,013 in cash was seized, seven weapons were seized, including four air weapons, one knuckleduster and one telescopic baton, and 17 people were safeguarded, including 14 adults and three people under the age of 18.
The force also seized £54,915 in cash, more than £446,000 worth of drugs and 29 weapons, while 52 people were safeguarded.
Police added 1.5g (0.052oz) of crack, 0.15g (0.0052oz) of heroin, 2239.8g (79oz) of cocaine and 50g (1.76oz) of cannabis resin were seized and 14 cuckooed addresses were visited in Devon and Cornwall.
'Don't tolerate drugs'
Sturland said the work would not end with one week of action and the force would "continue to take a robust, proactive approach to disrupting drug supply and tackling associated anti-social behaviour and exploitation".
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said she wanted to tackle the problem at source.
"Alongside the efforts of the police to disrupt organised criminal groups we also need to tackle the root causes of drug use."
She said she would encourage anyone struggling, or who knows someone struggling, with drug abuse to reach out for support.
Signs a child is being exploited
Police said there were signs in a child's behaviour that could indicate they were being exploited:
- Often going missing from home or school and being found away from their normal area
- Unexplained money, clothes, designer wear, jewellery, gadgets or mobile phones
- Having multiple mobile phones
- Committing theft/shoplifting
- Relationships with older people
- Carrying weapons
- Significant emotional changes, like becoming angry or sad, or becoming fearful, withdrawn or isolated
- Travelling alone and at unusual times
