Operation Scorpion
Operation Scorpion is a well-established programme of regionally co-ordinated and focused drugs activity, intended to make the South West a hostile environment for those who deal drugs and engage in antisocial drug-taking activity.
In October 2021, police and crime commissioners and chief constables from the five South West forces committed to regional activity to make the region a hostile environment for drug supply.
The aim was to harness the collective power of regional policing, to better co-ordinate disruptive activity and improve community confidence to encourage reporting of intelligence and protect vulnerable people exploited by drugs gangs.
It was decided that co-ordinated activity would take place three to four times a year across all force areas at a regional and local level, with each iteration targeting a different drugs supply issue.
Across the region, forces combined intelligence from communities, automatic number plate recognition technology and stop and search tactics as part of this operation.
Multiple partners, including Crimestoppers, British Transport Police, the Regional Organised Crime Unit and Ministry of Defence Police have regularly joined operations.
The key aims of Operation Scorpion are to:
- Enforce a ‘Ring of Steel’ across the South West using our resources and partners to disrupt travel into the region for the purpose of supplying drugs
- Focus on visible street dealing.
- Disrupt those who cause harm in communities through visible drug dealing and associated crime. This may be linked to Clear, Hold, Build areas in some forces.
As of June 2026, there have been 15 rounds of Operation Scorpion. While the specific focus of activity may vary with each iteration, the overarching theme is the ‘Ring of Steel’. The impact of our communities has been significant as the figures demonstrate.
Across the region, to date, there have been:
| Activity | Results |
|---|---|
| Arrests | More than 1,580 |
| Warrants | More than 170 |
| Drugs seized | 180kg |
| Drugs seized (street value) | £3.9m |
| Cash seized | £1.3m |
| People safeguarded | More than 1,380 including more than 160 cuckooed* |
| Weapons seized | More than 215 |
| Vehicles seized | More than 15 |
| Phones seized | More than 125 |
| Education and engagement events | More than 105 |
Operation Scorpion remains an excellent example of how collaboration across our region is ensuring safer communities for all.
* Cuckooing is a form of criminal exploitation where offenders take over a person’s home and use it as a base for illegal activities, often without the resident’s genuine consent. Those targeted are often vulnerable adults.