Dorset Police have taken part in a national clamp down on drugs as part of the Operation Viper initiative.

Between Monday, October 3 and Sunday, October 9 the force took part in the national intensification week to disrupt suspected county line gangs operating across the country.

Over the course of the week, officers carried out 48 cuckooing prevention visits, made 22 arrests and seized 156 wraps of suspected heroin and crack cocaine. They also confiscated £7,500 in cash, various weapons and 17 mobile phones.

In total 27 impacted by county lines were safeguarded.

The aim of the intensification week was to make life as difficult as possible for suspected members of county lines drugs gangs, who often use violence and intimidation to exploit children and the vulnerable and force them to store and ‘run’ drugs for them.

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Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: “This is another fine example of the work that Operation Viper does across Dorset and my thanks goes to everyone involved in this ongoing operation to take drugs off our streets. I am delighted to see Dorset Police taking robust action against county lines gangs across the county.

“This is exactly the type of action that I and the residents of Dorset want to see from our police force. We must show the criminals who exploit our young and vulnerable to ply their evil trade, that such crimes will not be tolerated in our county.

You can reported suspected drug dealing in the community by contacting Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, emailing at 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.

Callers should always dial 999 directly in the instance of an emergency.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.