Cannabis cultivation: Warning to landlords and public

Dyfed-Powys Police is urging landlords and members of the public to be on the look out for people using premises for illegal activity.

This call is part of their response to three males (who are not local to the area) arrested and charged with offences of cultivation/production in Pembrokeshire last week.

To help combat this and in order to warn and inform the public, police are asking communities to be vigilant with suspect properties:

• Mostly terraced – one out of five detached – also industrial units
• Limited signs of daily activity
• Infrequent calls
• Curtains/ blinds closed
• Gardens overgrown.

Detective Chief Inspector Shane Williams said: “When criminals operate out of properties the whole community suffers but it can also result in personal loss for a landlord. Tenants using the property illegally will often reduce the property value, cause damage and not pay rent.

“We are urging landlords and neighbours to be aware of signs which could indicate criminal activity and if they are at all suspicious to tell us and we can help them address the issues.”

Properties used in this type of criminal activity can also have:

• Strong smell of chemicals and empty containers left outside
• Residents bringing unusual equipment such as sophisticated lighting
• Extreme property fortification.

DCI Williams added: “Although this is not a significant issue for Dyfed-Powys Police and there are no specific community concerns, we still want to highlight a variety of the signs – which can be present at any one time – as they relate to different types of drug production.

“Other signs are tenants paying rent in advance in cash, tenants preventing landlords from visiting the premises and willingness for tenants to pay for expensive exterior fortifications.”

However, the construction of these factories often involves interference with the properties electrical installation, which carries an obvious fire risk and risk of electrocution to future tenants, or unaware visitors. Police are urging members of the public to be aware of the risk and not to investigate themselves – anyone wanting more advice or who has any information can contact their local police station via 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.