Dealing with the problem of illegal drugs and the issues these substances create is a top priority in Dorset. When I became Police and Crime Commissioner, I put tackling illegal drugs and the harm that they cause to communities, firmly back on the agenda where it belongs. I know from speaking to the public that this is one of the top five issues you want dealt with alongside burglary, anti-social behaviour, violent crime and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). That’s why I wanted this issue front and centre to ensure Dorset Police were equipped to deliver on this commitment for the people of Dorset. It is no secret that these harmful substances are at the root of many other offences such as shoplifting, theft, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour and to successfully tackle these crimes, we must deal with the causes.

However, the reality of tackling drug offences is complex, and the depth of the work involved must not be underestimated. This complexity is reflected in my Police and Crime Plan, under the priority to Fight Violent Crime and High Harm. As part of my commitment to dealing with drug crime, I have pledged to commission services and educational inputs to help reduce the harm of drugs, alcohol and gambling. This priority also includes making certain that Dorset Police take a robust approach to tackling drug-related criminality, using their powers to disrupt street dealing and county lines and reducing the damage caused to local communities, as well as the associated violence, exploitation of vulnerable people, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime. Alongside the work Dorset Police do on a daily basis to target drug offences, two targeted operations – Operation Viper and Operation Scorpion – are also in place, targeting county lines in Dorset and drug related offences across the south west in collaboration with neighbouring forces, PCCs, British Transport Police and South West Regional Organised Crime Unit. In the latest round of Operation Scorpion in March this year, 12 people were arrested, with an estimated 1.5kg of suspected cannabis seized, as well as 400 grams of suspected cocaine and 600 grams of suspected ketamine. Cash totalling £35,000 was also seized alongside weapons including two zombie knives, two further larger knives and an air pistol. I hope this and results from previous iterations demonstrate Dorset’s determination to make our county #NoPlaceforDrugs.

Tough enforcement is just one strand of the solution though, with treatment and prevention also needed to ensure a tight grip this issue. As chair of Dorset and BCP Combating Drugs Partnership, I work with a range of partners to ensure all these aspects are covered as part of a strong collaboration to drive change. At a national level, as joint lead on alcohol and substance misuse for the APCC, I have lobbied hard for changes which last year included Nitrous Oxide being made illegal, and I fully support the current review into Ketamine being made a Class A substance.

When it comes to prevention, this is really the orphan at the feast, with significant investment required to make a difference. It is my view that there is no point focussing on the destination of addiction if we don’t try and stop people getting addicted in the first place. We need more done by those in power to ensure illegal drugs are taken seriously, and we need more education in schools to teach young people about the real consequences and damage illegal substances can do not just physically and mentally, but also to their future. In Dorset, I have provided funding for The Talkabout Trust to design and pilot drug education resources in schools. These materials were created following discussions with young people about the type of education and messaging they wish they had received about illegal drugs and alcohol. Ensuring effective education is in place for young people is crucial and I will continue this work to ensure increased awareness of illegal gateway drugs.

I know the fear and concern drugs cause in our communities. I know they go hand in hand with other offences and that the people of Dorset want to see action being taken. I want to assure you that Dorset Police is focused on tackling drugs and takes reducing these harms very seriously. In the next few weeks, I will be outlining what is happening to robustly deal with drug offences, to provide support for those tackling addiction, and what we’re doing to educate and inform young people. And there is a way you can help us in this fight; report what you’re seeing. You may think it doesn’t make a difference, but if the police don’t know about it, their response is immediately limited. Your piece of information may be the missing piece of the puzzle and lead to action. Together, with Dorset Police, our partners and communities, we can all help to smash the drugs gangs, get those who need it effective treatment, and send a message to our young people to steer away from these toxic, harmful substances.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner