Latest news with #OperationScorpion
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
PCC supports calls to reclassify cannabis
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he "fully supports" calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A drug. Police forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be upgraded. Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen "first-hand" how cannabis cultivation and use are "deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities" in his county. The Home Office said it has "no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire "From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups," said Mr Wilkinson. Recent operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being seized. These took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England. Mr Wilkinson added: "The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence. "County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve." He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing" would "send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities". Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting "any crimes and intelligence from their communities" so action can be taken. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Experts criticise calls to re-classify cannabis Police crackdown on drug use in night-time economy Mayor backs report's call for cannabis law reform Wiltshire Police
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Wiltshire PCC supports calls to reclassify cannabis as Class A
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he "fully supports" calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen "first-hand" how cannabis cultivation and use are "deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities" in his Home Office said it has "no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act". "From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups," said Mr operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England. Mr Wilkinson added: "The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence."County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve."He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing" would "send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities".Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting "any crimes and intelligence from their communities" so action can be taken. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Police chief asks for public's help to tackle child grooming
A police chief constable has warned that wherever children live, they are equally at risk of being groomed for sexual or criminal Constable Catherine Roper, of Wiltshire Police, has asked the public to trust officers and come forward with any information – in recognition that intelligence sharing is key to finding child said the force hoped to increase police visibility in rural and urban areas in a bid to build stronger relationships, boost information-sharing and increase NSPCC says police forces recorded more than 7,000 online grooming crimes in total in 2023/24 – up by 89% since 2017/18. Community intelligence Ms Roper, who is also the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for children and young people, said: "We need to accept that tragically children and young people are being groomed across all areas, urban and rural."We need the public to come forward and tell us when they are concerned."She added that, as a direct result of community intelligence gathered during Operation Scorpion – a regional drugs operation – Wiltshire Police were able to identify vulnerable children, young people and adults and put in place safeguarding measures."Urban or rural, I ask our communities to trust us with the information and we will focus on keeping people safe," she said. Ms Roper recently commissioned a review into allegations of child exploitation and child grooming made to Wiltshire Police over the past 10 years, to improve the force's responses. Wiltshire Police has identified the following indicators that a young person may be being groomed:Are they being secretive about how they are spending their time?Do they have an older boyfriend or girlfriend?Do they have money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they cannot or will not explain?Are they drinking or taking drugs?Are they spending more or less time than usual online or on their devices?Do they seem upset or withdrawn?Are they using sexual language you would not expect them to know?Are they spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time?
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Watch police smash through doors and seize drugs in raids
Herts Police bashed through Watford doors in a video from early morning raids carried out last week. The force conducted five simultaneous raids on Friday morning (February 28) after receiving intelligence and complaints from residents about suspected drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. Police forced their way into the properties, supported by colleagues from the neighbourhood policing team, operational support group, digital media investigation team, and the tri-force dog but one of the addresses were in Sydney Road, with the other in Raphael Drive. In the video shared via the Herts Police social media page, officers are seen knocking through the doors of multiple flats and gathering items from inside, including what appears to be drugs, in evidence bags. Cannabis, phones, cash, weighing scales and packaging were recovered as police arrested five people on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug. Watford chief Inspector Andy Wiseman and Matt Turmaine MP with officers at George Street police station, prior to the operation. (Image: Herts Police) These were a 27-year-old, a 42-year-old, a 34-year-old, a 28-year-old, and a 22-year-old, all of which are from Watford. PC Richard Fielding, from Watford's Operation Scorpion team, said: 'This morning's activity is a continuation of our work to combat drug-related crime in Watford, which we know first-hand has a detrimental impact on both those involved and innocent parties who live nearby. 'If you have any information or concerns about this type of crime, please continue to report them to us. Every call helps us to build an intelligence picture for us to take action. Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers.'
