A NEW ‘intelligence portal’ has been created to help people report suspicious behaviour in Dorset.

Dorset Police is appealing to communities to continue to report suspected drug-related crime and activity as part of a regional crackdown on county lines drug gangs.

The force is once again teaming up with Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset police as part of the regional intensification campaign, Operation Scorpion.

The campaign aims to disrupt drug-related crime and share intelligence, to create a hostile environment for those intent on dealing their illegal drugs in the region.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, from Dorset Police, said: “I would like to thank the public, including our business communities, for coming forward and reporting information about drug-related activity to us.

“The public of Dorset are our eyes and ears and our ability to bring criminals to justice and combat crime is greatly enhanced by the information and intelligence they provide us. If something doesn’t feel right, quite often it isn’t so please trust your instincts and tell us what you know.”

To make it easier for the public to come forward, he said the new online reporting tool had been created at www.dorset.police.uk.

“Every piece of information and intelligence has a value so if you have seen or heard something that you think we should know about, please come forward,” he went on.

“The information and identity of anyone reporting intelligence to us is protected, but if you aren’t comfortable talking directly to us, you can report anything anonymously through our partners at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: “Community intelligence plays a vital role in combating drugs in our county.

“To anyone who wants to see direct action taken against drug dealers, I encourage you to share that important local intelligence and help the police to take action.

“Together we can send out a very clear message to criminals that our communities are no place for drugs and that together we can make Dorset the safest county.”

Anyone concerned about drug related crime in their area should report it to Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk.