Dorset Police made 22 arrests in September in its efforts to reduce and eliminate drug crime in the county.

The work was part of the Operation Viper team which sees a dedicated team using intelligence and enforcement to disrupt county lines and make the region a hostile place for those dealing drugs and bringing misery to communities.

The force have a specific County Lines Task Force, which is supported by Neighbourhood Enforcement Teams (NETs) to disrupt and deter incoming drug networks.

County lines see drugs being brought into often rural communities by gangs operating from areas such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.

It sees criminals from urban areas come into counties like Dorset, often using young and vulnerable children to carry and sell drugs, while ‘cuckooing’ the home of those using drugs locally – effectively taking over their homes to act as temporary bases to sell drugs from.

Among their conclusions for September included 41 drug line disruptions, 35 safe and well checks, 22 arrests, 11 people safeguarded and two drug offence convictions.

Acting Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey of Dorset Police said: “Through the Op Viper initiative, we continue to work hard to detect and disrupt county lines related activity across Dorset and this shows in the results we are getting each month.

“It is important that the public continue to report suspicious activity in their local area as this information is really useful in helping us build intelligence about perpetrators and helps us to seek out and protect vulnerable people.”

Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick added: “My thanks go to everyone who makes Operation Viper a continuing success. The results we are seeing week on week and month on month are not only impressive, they are having a real effect on the streets of Dorset. More and more illegal drugs and drug dealers are being taken off our streets, more county lines and organised crime gangs are being disrupted, and more vulnerable people are being protected from violence and exploitation.

“The people of Dorset told me that they wanted the issue of illegal drugs, drug dealing and county lines dealt with and Operation Viper is doing just that.”

To report suspected drug dealing in the community, please contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email at 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, dial 999.