Children found and arrests made in drugs raids

Large quantities of heroin, crack and cocaine were recoved in the latest phase of Operation Scorpion

More than £95,000 worth of drugs was seized and 23 people arrested during a week-long series of police raids in Wiltshire.

Large quantities of drugs, along with a samurai sword, were recovered in the latest phase of Operation Scorpion – an initiative involving the South West’s five police forces.

During the raids from 30 September to 4 October, six adults and seven children were taken into safeguarding locations by police.

Wiltshire Police Det Ch Insp Megan Elkins said the region is "no place for drugs".

She added: "These arrests and seizure results mean that a significant amount of drugs have been removed from our streets as well as the disrupting of the organised criminal networks which prey on the vulnerable and bring so much misery to our communities."

The overall operation involved forces from Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

'Report your concerns'

Over the seven days, police teams targeted gangs and addresses of suspected drugs dealers and suppliers, increased the number of patrols of known hotspots and used ANPR technology to disrupt county lines activities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Operation Scorpion demonstrates a collaborative, border-less approach to policing to reduce the serious harm and violence caused by drugs across the whole region, as drug crime isn’t just a problem in urban police areas.

"By continuing to report your concerns to the police they are better placed to tackle the issues head on and take action as demonstrated by Operation Scorpion."