Tenth cannabis factory shut down in Bedford

The town's community policing team is targeting cannabis factories
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Bedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh on Friday, June 5.

This is the tenth factory the team had closed down since launching a dedicated operation in April to tackle the issue of cannabis factories.

Criminal networks involved in cannabis factories are often also involved in wider organised crime, exploiting children by forcing them to sell drugs or carry weapons.

Bedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh (C) Bedfordshire PoliceBedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh (C) Bedfordshire Police
Bedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh (C) Bedfordshire Police

Bedfordshire Police has highlighted some key signs which may help residents to spot a cannabis factory:

- Windows always closed in summer and curtains permanently drawn

- Excessive condensation at windows

- Pungent or chemical smells

Bedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh (C) Bedfordshire PoliceBedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh (C) Bedfordshire Police
Bedford's Community Policing Team dismantled a cannabis factory in Thurleigh (C) Bedfordshire Police

- Lights repeatedly being turned on and off

- The sound of whirring coming from the address at different periods throughout the day and night

- Large amounts of compost, plant pots, chemicals or fertiliser (or empty containers) stored

- Neighbours reporting many frequent different visitors to the property OR no apparent movement of tenants at all

- Excessive security measures added to property such as bars at the windows or reinforced doors

- Lookouts – usually young/teenagers hanging about outside to warn the users of potential trouble.

If you have any concerns about a cannabis factory or wider drug activity, you can report it to police on 101 or visit: www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report.