Emergency 999 burglary call leads Rotherham police to bust £130,000 cannabis factory
Police in Rotherham have dismantled a cannabis farm worth more than £130,000 after an urgent 999 call.
South Yorkshire Police officers were called to a property in the Wingfield area of Rotherham following reports of a burglary in progress on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
The caller reported three masked men had broken into a property through a fence. When police arrived, they found evidence of a break-in, but the burglars had scarpered.
Upon closer investigation of the property, police found a cannabis cultivation with 130 plants growing across a number of floors in the house.
Each plant was estimated to be worth roughly £1,000 - bringing the total value of the farm to around £130,000.
Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector John Crapper said: “Large cannabis farms like this are often linked to serious organised crime across South Yorkshire.
“The destruction of cultivations like this help to disrupt wider criminal activity. We would urge the public to report any concerns to us.”
The electricity powering the farm is believed to have been bypassed and the property has since been secured.
Officers continue to investigate the incident, but urged anyone with concerns around cannabis cultivation to get in touch.
Some of the signs that a property is being used for growing cannabis include:
- Heavy smell of cannabis
- Windows blacked out
- Excessive condensation on windows
- Blocked letterbox
- Heavy use of anti-odour devices
- Visitors at unusual hours; only staying for a short period of time
- Signs of a property not being lived in – bins not being put out, garden not maintained etc.
If you are concerned about crime in your area, you can report it to police via 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also submit information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.