Operation Scorpion is a collaboration between the South West's five police forces (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) and the National County Lines Coordination Centre, which sees resources combined to tackle drug supply and make the region a hostile environment for organised crime groups.
Many police authorities run similar coordinated multi-agency operations dealing with these and other priorities.
The operation was focussed on situations where criminals groom and exploit young people into carrying out crimes on their behalf. This is a growing concern for police and other child focussed agencies and charities.
Police Officers visited schools, ran a social media campaign targetting TikTok and SnapChat adverts designed to reach young people. This really needs to become the focus of parental monitoring to ensure their children are not being drawn into criminal activities without knowing it.
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