"NASTY villains" have been left nursing huge losses as a result of an increase in drug seizures across Dorset during the first year of the pandemic, figures show.

Police chiefs say a drop in calls from the public during parts of 2020-21 meant forces across England and Wales had more capacity to proactively police drugs crimes and disrupt illicit dealing and county lines activity.

Home Office data shows Dorset Police carried out 2,056 seizures in the year to March – up 8 per cent from 1,899 the year before.

There were 220,000 seizures nationally, up more than a fifth from 2019-20.

Policing and Crime Minister Kit Malthouse said this meant some "nasty villains" nursing huge losses, while Home Secretary Priti Patel praised the efforts of police and Border Force officials in their targeting of "the kingpins destroying communities".

However, Release – the national centre for drugs expertise – said seizures have little impact on the availability of drugs, claiming people had no difficulties finding a dealer in a "resilient and adaptable market", even during the pandemic.

In 2020-21, there were 1,417 drug crimes recorded across Dorset, a 4 per cent fall from 1,474 in 2019-20.

The offences contributed to the 210,000 logged nationally last year – a record high.

Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine were seized by Dorset police 445 times during 2020-21, but cannabis was a factor in the largest proportion of all seizures – 70 per cent.

Variations of the class B substance were found in 1,445 seizures, with police confiscating 5,235 cannabis plants as a result.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pete Little, head of crime and criminal justice for Dorset Police, said: “Like other parts of the country, Dorset has experienced a number of periods of restrictions and lockdowns.

“During the first lockdown the number of people leaving their homes was hugely reduced and the crime rate in Dorset fell dramatically. This also had an impact on the amount of drugs in circulation, both being dealt in Dorset and brought to the county.

“During the remainder of 2020 and 2021, crime rates returned to more normal figures and this included criminals intent on supplying drugs in Dorset.

“Throughout the pandemic and today, Dorset Police remains unwavering in its commitment to tackling drug dealing and misuse. We are fully aware of the impact it has on our communities and we will do all we can to take illegal drugs off the street and bring offenders to justice.

“We recognise the impact drug dealing and the operations of county lines gangs can have in our area and we are committed to protecting vulnerable people who are being exploited as well as identifying and prosecuting offenders through targeted, intelligence-led work."