Police discover more than 100 plants in cannabis factory in Flitwick

Police are investigating after a large cannabis factory with over 100 plants was dismantled in Flitwick on Monday, July 6.

Officers were called to an address on Vicarage Hill, where a Cannabis Factory had been discovered and a suspect had made off on foot prior to police arrival, breaking through a neighbouring property to do so.

Over 100 plants across 8 rooms were found.

A scene guard was in place over Monday night into the morning, before the electrics were made safe and officers dismantled and removed equipment, seized plants and ready-to-deal buds of the herb.

A criminal investigation is now taking place, following a number of forensic and digital leads.

The output of a cannabis factory should not be underestimated; a relatively small factory could have an output worth several thousand pounds and intelligence suggests that often this money goes on to fund other more serious forms of criminality.

It is common for cannabis factories to be operated by people who are not legally present within the UK, and careful consideration must be given to people found at grow sites who may be there under duress and as a result of Human Trafficking or Modern Day Slavery.

PC Aaron Daggley said: “Cannabis factories continue to have a negative impact on our communities.

"The growing and supplying of cannabis can underpin a whole range of issues such as gangs, violence, and anti-social behaviour, which severely impacts on our local communities.

“We hope it reassures local residents that we work hard and listen to their concerns and we are determined to keep clamping down on them.”

Police also looked into a number of suspicious incidents in and around the area following the discover.

Lots of Intelligence was gathered to support their efforts under #OperationBeckford to impact on the supply of Controlled Drugs within the Flitwick and Ampthill area.

Anybody with any information about this case should contact Bedfordshire Police on 101.

You can also give information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.