Bollington
Cannabis Farm!
Police Officers have seized more than a hundred cannabis plants
from a house in Bollington. Officers from Macclesfield Neighbourhood
Policing Unit, supported by others from Cheshire Police Eastern
Area Roads Policing unit, forced their way into the house at 8
am on Tuesday 14th September 2010.
They found more than a hundred plants in an upstairs bedroom together
with heating and irrigation equipment. The drugs were removed and
destroyed. A man was arrested and later released on police bail
while further investigations are carried out.
Garry Thurgoland, the Neighbourhood Policing Team beat manager
for Bollington, said, "This operation was part of our on-going
campaign to prevent drug dealing and drug abuse in this area. Cannabis
farms of this type are part of that issue.
"Anyone who suspects that a house in their neighbourhood
is being used for drug cultivation or has information about drug
dealing should contact us. We will always investigate and take
action whenever we find offences are being committed."
Anyone with information about drug dealing or cannabis growing
should call the Cheshire Police Information
line on 101 or leave
a message for the Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Unit on 0845
458 6371 or you can leave information anonymously on the Crimestoppers
line 0800 555 111.
If you are renting out houses, cottages or flats in or around
Bollington do read the notes for Landlords.
Increasing problem
In the last few years, the UK has seen an increase in the number
of cannabis farms being found throughout homes in all areas of
the country including both residential and rural areas. These premises
are usually rented properties.
In Cheshire cannabis farms have been discovered in large towns
such as Warrington, Macclesfield and Northwich but also in rural
areas like Tarvin indicating that the problem is not confined to
the major towns.
You may not realise it but cannabis farms themselves do pose a
serious threat to your health. They require the storage of large
quantities of fertilizers and pesticides and are often connected
illegally to the electricity supply, posing huge fire risks.
Outlined below are the signs you can look for that suggest a house
in your neighbourhood could be being used as a cannabis farm.
- A pungent and sweet smell on the street with no obvious
source.
- Unusual levels of heat coming from a property. No frost
or snow on the property in the winter months even though every
house around it does.
- Unusual noises, at odd times, such as fans going constantly
or large items like sacks or drums being dragged about.
- Windows that are blacked out by heavy curtains or bin bags
from the inside.
- Occupants who are rarely seen.
- The property seems unlived in or the residents are active
at odd times of the day or night.
- Bulky items being taken into the property such as barrels,
gardening equipment and electrical wiring.
- The creation of new air vents or the use of industrial air
vents in a domestic property.
If you notice any of these then
please call Cheshire Police on 101 .
IF YOU ARE A LANDLORD
If your property is being used as a farm you may find that no
one answers the door when you visit and that the locks have been
changed without you knowing.
Cash may be used in transactions rather than setting up direct
debits.
Areas with a mixture of residential and light industrial buildings
are commonly used but farms have also been found in rural areas.
Most commonly a rented property of a good size with several rooms
with an absentee landlord is chosen. Be aware of people who ask
when renting one of your homes how often you will be visiting your
property. Be suspicious if only offered cash and make regular checks
once the property has been leased.
If a cannabis farm is found at one of your properties you can
expect to find large scale electrical problems, entire rooms filled
with compost, damp conditions and fire damage. The costs to make
the premises habitable again are considerable.
If you suspect a property is being used as a cannabis farm then
please call Cheshire Police on 101 .
If you think people in your neighbourhood are stealing electricity,
British Gas has an electricity fraud hotline number 0800 587 2737.
Please be aware and report anything suspicious.
JANE THIRSK
Watch Officer
Cheshire Police
Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6371
Police non-emergency number: 101
Other Homewatch pages of current relevance: Briefs (recent
crimes in the Macclesfield Division including Bollington, Kerridge
and Pott Shrigley).
If you haven't looked at the homewatch pages before we recommend
looking at the homewatch home page.
