Stop-and-searches conducted by Police in Operation Scorpion

As part of the eighth Operation Scorpion, Dorset Police have finished a week of action from June 10 to 16 conducting stop-and-searches to tackle drug dealing in the area. 

The largest drug operation in the UK, five police forces in the south west region have teamed up to target dealing where it is linked to weapons and violence and rid high-harm areas of drug-related anti-social behaviour. 

Dorset Police crime commissioner David Sidwick said: "We're trying to stop the drugs getting in and we've had some good intelligence in the past. In order to do that, what we need is community intelligence. 

"The southwest is no place for drugs and I'm very clear that Dorset Police will get the drug dealers, they will take away their liberty, they will take away their goods and they'll take away their drugs."

As part of the week of action, police conducted a stop-and-search on a member of the public who fled when he noticed police. 

Handcuffed after worries he may escape again, police eventually let him go after no items were found. 

An officer who asked to remain anonymous said: "Officers have witnessed what was probably a drug exchange. A description was passed and the suspect made off. He was later recited and stopped. 

"The legislation for handcuffing is down to the officer for them to justify. They can apply handcuffs if the suspect could be violent or potentially violent or it could be an escape or a potential escape.

"Based on this scenario, we have someone who has already run from the police we don't want to run off again."

Mr Sidwick said much of the violence in and around Bournemouth stems from drugs. 

While concerns have been raised that recent events such as the death of Amie Gray will deter tourists, he said police will do all in their power to keep the town safe. 

He said: "What I say to tourists, what I say to the people of Dorset is when you look at the numbers, we're the fifth lowest for knife crime.

"This is a good place to come."