£15,000 worth of drugs is off Weymouth's streets after a police crackdown on 'county line' drug dealers.

Between October 8 and 14 Dorset Police and partner agencies conducted a week of action focusing on reducing county lines networks operating within Dorset.

County lines is the name given to urban drug dealers who expand their networks to smaller towns and rural areas, primarily to supply crack cocaine and heroin to addicts.

In Weymouth, four golf ball-sized amounts of suspected crack cocaine and heroin, with a street value of around £15,000, was seized.

Across the county, the week of action saw more than £23,000 worth of drugs and cash seized and a total of 30 arrests made.

Of these 30 arrests, 21 were released under investigation, five were charged, two transferred to other forces, one was released without conviction and one was remanded in custody regarding a warrant.

Detective Chief Inspector, Andy Dilworth, said: “Dorset Police is firmly committed to tackling county lines drug dealing networks and reducing the harm they cause to our communities - identifying and protecting those most vulnerable to exploitation and bringing those responsible for supplying drugs in the county to justice."

As well as targeting suspected drug networks, considerable effort was put in to safeguarding vulnerable people and 39 safe and well checks were conducted.

Mr Dilworth said Dorset Police's work to tackle ‘county lines’ was ongoing and relentless and urged people to help police tackle the issue together.

During the week an arrest of a man in Bournemouth, led to further enquiries which identified him a wanted by the Metropolitan Police.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, Martyn Underhill said: "This is a great example of how policing and the community can tackle the invidious crime we call county lines. As well as the arrests and drug seizures, let’s not forget the 39 safe and well checks conducted at local addresses. I would like to thank every single member of staff involved in the operation.

"County lines ruin lives. It isn’t just happening in major cities. It is happening right here in Dorset and I echo the appeal for our residents and communities to work with the Police on tackling this issue. Please read the information on Dorset Police’s website, learn the signs and how to report it and lets all work together to kick county lines out of our County’’.

From the week of action, Dorset Police has been able to provide intelligence updates to several Police Forces including Avon and Somerset, Merseyside Police and Metropolitan Police on county lines operating in Dorset.

Anyone with information regarding possible drug dealing activities, contact Dorset Police by calling 101.