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Man arrested after the
discovery of a cannabis farm in St Helens
AT around 2.30pm, on Thursday, 7
December 2017, Merseyside Police Officers conducting enquiries within the Alfred
Street area identified a cannabis farm, that had around 40 plants, with a
potential annual yield of ₤160,000 discovered. Following the discovery, Utility
services had to attend to make the property safe. A 40 year old man from St
Helens was also arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
Sergeant Gary Sorrell from the specialist
Cannabis Dismantling Team said:- "It is good that we have dismantled a
cannabis farm with all the associated risks that it brings. Cultivating
cannabis, overloading the electricity sockets in the process and mixing with
water is dangerous and can cause a fire. We are liaising with St Helens Council
in this matter to secure the house. If you live close to one of these farms, you
are potentially in danger from the fires that they can cause, so report any of
the signs and help us remove any such hazards from your street. Cannabis
cultivation by criminal gangs can cause serious harm in our communities and we
know that criminal groups involved in the cultivation of cannabis are usually
involved in other serious organised crime, bringing fear and harm to those
around them. We would ask that if you believe someone is using a property as a
cannabis farm, please tell us so we can take positive action and find those
responsible for setting them up."
Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown
are:-
► Strange smells
and sounds.
► Frequent and
varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times.
► Gardening
equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertilizer, fans and
industrial lighting.
► Windows are
sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed.
► Heat from an
adjoining property.
► Birds gathering
on a roof in cold weather.
► Individually
these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something
more sinister.
Anyone with any information can call Police
on:- 101 quoting reference:- '0517314712,' or Crimestoppers,
anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111. Information can also be provided
online.
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