Drugs FAQs

The Commissioner views drugs in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to be a scourge on our society. They have a devastating impact on individuals, families and businesses in communities. Drugs cause immeasurable harm to people, our economy, our health services and people’s ability to live happy and rewarding lives. For this reason, Drugs is a key priority area within the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan 2021-2025

The Commissioner is committed to adopting a two-fold approach to tackling drugs, which addresses both the supply of drugs into our communities and the level of demand for those drugs. Above all, she is determined to equip people with the confidence and tools to report these crimes. 

The Commissioner has, through local taxation, funded an increase in police officer numbers which, when combined with a nationally-funded uplift, resulted in record officer numbers of 3,610 officers for Devon and Cornwall Police. This figure was achieved in 2022-23 and will be maintained in 2023-24. 

In addition, by collaborating closely with all Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables within the region, the Commissioner has been working to target and disrupt drug supply routes into the region through operations which use intelligence, technology, joint innovation and robust policing to stop drug dealers on their tracks. By harnessing our collective power, the Commissioner seeks to create a "ring of steel" around the South West, with all services working together to prevent drugs getting into our communities.  

In the first week of March 2022, 46 people were arrested during Operation Medusa in Plymouth and South Devon and £17,300 worth of drugs were seized - these are now safely off our streets and will be destroyed. For more information, please see: 'Large parts of our community are considerably safer because of this operation' - says the Commissioner · Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner (devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk) 

These numbers were further strengthened by Operation Scorpion, joint operations between police forces in five South West forces which started in March 2022 and are repeated regularly. Drugs worth many tens of thousands of pounds have been seized under the Operation Scorpion banner, hundreds of safeguarding referrals have been made and weapons have been taken off the streets. For further details please see: Major joint drug operation shows South West is No Place For Drugs · Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner (devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk) 

The Commissioner is committed to continuing to support these operations in the future with the aim of creating a "ring of steel" around the Southwest to prevent drugs getting into our communities. Residents can expect to see further operations across Devon and Cornwall over the coming months. The locations selected for these operations are an operational matter for Devon and Cornwall Police and are based on available evidence and intelligence and so it is important that people report drug-related incidents where they witness them. Details on how to report can be found under the following FAQ: ‘I have noticed some drug dealing or drug taking in my local area, what can be done about it?’ 

As part of the Commissioner’s over-arching focus on tackling drugs, a range of initiatives are taking place across the peninsula to address issues linked to ASB - such as street-based drug-taking and drug littering. Below are a few examples: 

• Investment in a dedicated Crimestoppers campaign to enhance and improve intelligence on drug activity across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.   
   
• Working with partners to take action in areas where the presence and impacts of drugs are the highest, including the Commissioner’s recent endorsement of the establishment of a new Substance Misuse and Antisocial Behaviour group in Torquay which will look at new ways of reducing these issues within the town centre areas. 
   
• Supporting the delivery of Safer Street Fund projects in Plymouth, Torquay, Exeter, Truro and Barnstaple during 2022-2023. Commissioners and partners have secured over £3.1million of government funding this year for Safer Streets Fund, with match contributions delivering an additional £1million (£4.1million in total). These projects include significant focus on town and city-centre based ASB, including drug-related ASB. 
    
• Enabling local communities to take forward their own projects through the Commissioner’s Community Grant Fund. This has included a round in 2021-22 focused on raising awareness of drugs, and one in 2022-23, focused specifically on ASB (including drug-related ASB). Grants are administered by Devon Community Foundation and Cornwall Community Foundation on the Commissioner’s behalf. Further funding competitions will operate in 2023-24 and further information on the funds and how to apply can be found at the following links: 

Safer, Connected Communities - Devon Community Foundation (devoncf.com) 

Police and Crime Commissioners Office creates additional fund round to tackle anti-social behaviour within the community - Cornwall Community Foundation 

One of the best ways for drugs offences to be tackled in your local area is for incidents to be reported to relevant authorities. This is essential for improving the intelligence that the police have and enabling a more targeted approach to tackling drugs. The Commissioner is very aware that, too often, people are afraid to report these crimes and she is therefore actively working towards giving people the confidence and tools necessary to report these offences.  

The Devon and Cornwall Police website contains information on how to report crime or pass information to the force. 

You can also report drug dealing occurring in your community via Crimestoppers, an online platform which gives people the power to speak up 100% anonymously via Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or by calling 0800 555 111. 

However, if you are in danger or believe someone may be in danger, please call 999 immediately.  

The Commissioner is very conscious of the risks that come with driving whilst under the influence of drugs and is committed to increasing drug testing on arrest.   

The Commissioner will hold the Chief Constable to account for ensuring that officers effectively carry out drug testing on arrest to keep them and other road users safe and to allow early identification of those who require support with their substance misuse issues and enable them to receive a holistic criminal justice response. 

In addition, the Commissioner is continuing to invest in road policing capabilities and is working with partners through Vision Zero South West road safety partnership to make roads safer for users and eradicate deaths on our roads. The partnership seeks to tackle drug-driving by increasing public awareness of the risks and consequences associated with driving whilst under the influence of drugs. (Please see our FAQs on road safety for further details).  

The Commissioner is responsible for providing a full range of support services for victims throughout Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. She is committed to equipping local communities with the tools and confidence to report drug-related incidents and seek help.  

To access victim support, please find relevant information at:  

Victim Support Devon and Cornwall | Victim Care Devon and Cornwall 

Or Call the Victim Care Unit at: 01392 475900 

Under the Victims Code of Practice (introduced under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004) victims of crime are entitled to a certain level of service support provided by all Criminal Justice Agencies. Details of your rights under the Victim Code can be found at:  

Information for victims of crimes in Devon and Cornwall · Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner (devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk) 

Accessing support is not dependent on whether a victim has reported the incident to relevant authorities. However, reports help us improve intelligence around drug activity across the peninsula.  

The Devon and Cornwall Police website contains information on how to report crime or pass information to the force. 

If someone is in danger or immediate action is required to save lives, stop injury or catch criminals call 999 immediately.  

Alternatively, you may report anonymously to Crimestoppers at  Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or by calling 0800 555 111 

Information on local and national partners and charities who can provide help and guidance to those affected by illegal drug taking or alcohol consumption can be found below: 

Drugs and Alcohol | Devon and Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)