'Eye watering cannabis smell' as THREE drugs factories found in same Doncaster street

Residents of a Doncaster street plagued by power cuts say that three drugs factories have been discovered in the last few days.
By Darren Burke
Published 6th Dec 2020, 13:03 BST
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People living in Spansyke Street in Hexthorpe say power supplies have been cut to a number of properties – bringing the total number of drugs dens found in the street in the last few weeks to four.

One said: “The smell of cannabis is eye watering.”

Late last week, workers from Northern Powergrid were spotted digging holes in the street and terminating electricity supplies following a number of complaints about power cuts in the street.

Workers have cut off a number of houses in Spansyke Street in Hexthorpe.Workers have cut off a number of houses in Spansyke Street in Hexthorpe.
Workers have cut off a number of houses in Spansyke Street in Hexthorpe.
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The discoveries came after the Free Press highlighted how residents in the road had been plunged into darkness on a number of occasions in recent weeks after power surges kept tripping out supplies.

Power firm Northern Powergrid, which has been monitoring the situation, has refused to confirm the discoveries but said it was working with South Yorkshire Police to target illegal use of power supplies in the area.

A spokesman said: "We are unable to make any comments regarding individual incidents however we are continuing to work closely with South Yorkshire Police.

"We would encourage anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or our partners Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111 or fill in the simple and secure anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.”

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Last month, Doncaster mum Zoe Fretwell, 25, who lives in Spansyke Street revealed how she and four-year-old daughter Autumn had been suffering power cuts on an almost daily basis for up to hours, for a number of weeks.

Zoe’s angry dad, John, a paramedic with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said the constant cuts were putting the life of his daughter and grand-daughter in danger.

He said: "It’s disgusting. It’s dictating how people live their lives and it’s not fair. There are problem many others in the same boat who are accepting this as the norm and suffering in silence but they shouldn't have to. It's horrible.”

Residents believe that the four dens discovered so far are just the tip of the iceberg and believe more could still be operating.