DORSET Police helped to seize more than £400k worth of suspected drugs in a single month.

The figures were revealed as part of the launch for the second phase of Operation Scorpion - a regional strategy tackling drug supply in the South West - which begins this week.

The first phase of Operation Scorpion took place in March and resulted in 194 arrests in connection with drug related offences, 400 drug line disruptions, £404,000 of suspected drugs seized, £131,000 of cash seized, 55 warrants executed, 320 welfare checks and “a vast array” of weapons seized including tasers, knives and machetes.

Dorset Police work in collaboration with Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police forces to provide a cohesive drugs strategy across the south west.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “The focus of this phase is on the impact of drugs within our local communities and the intelligence police forces need from the public to help disrupt the South West drugs market, dismantle drug supply networks and arrest those who profit from them.”

David Sidwick, Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am delighted to see Operation Scorpion return, not only to Dorset but to all of the regions of the south west and this time, there is a dedicated Crimestoppers campaign that will run alongside operational activities.

"Operation Scorpion really is a fantastic showcase for what can be done when everyone wants to work together. All five police forces in the South West region, alongside their respective Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) and the charity Crimestoppers will combine resources to tackle drug supply in the region and make the South West a hostile environment for drugs.”

“Targeting criminality, taking drugs off our streets, sharing intelligence, and protecting the vulnerable are all at the heart of my promise to the people of Dorset to make their county the safest in England and Wales and so I’m looking forward to seeing the results of yet another ground-breaking collaboration with our Operation Scorpion partners.”