Police in Cumbria are urging residents and business staff to watch out for the tell-tale signs they might be neighbours to a cannabis farm.

Officers have had success recently in uncovering a number of such illegal operations – but are calling on the public to help provide information.

Cumbria might be a largely rural county that is a safe place to live, work and visit.

But this does not mean it is immune to organised crime – and police say its very rural and quiet nature could make it an attractive place to set up a cannabis farm.

Officers want the public to report anything suspicious.

Detective Inspector Hayley Wilkinson said: “People should be under no illusion – serious and organised crime groups operate in Cumbria. It is these groups who are behind the industrial levels of cannabis growth grown in the sort of places we are targeting.

“We have officers and PCSOs out and about engaging with the community every day; but we need you to tell us what is happening in your neighbourhoods.

“In particular we want to appeal to business owners and their staff to tell us if they see anything unusual near where they are working, as cannabis farms can be set up in places such as industrial units.

“Please come forward with information – everything will be reviewed and acted upon accordingly.”

Signs to watch out for include:

  • Strong, sickly smells coming from properties;
  • Properties where the windows are constantly covered;
  • Excessive security around properties, such as CCTV;
  • High levels of unusual condensation on windows;
  • Lots of visitors – and at unsociable hours;
  • Bright lights day and night;
  • Constant buzz of ventilation.

Det Insp Wilkinson added: “Criminals are using more inventive ways to conceal cannabis grows – not just in rooms, but in the back of shops and in industrial settings where people go to work every day.

“Every cannabis farm we destroy helps prevent a vicious circle.

“The plants won’t end up as street deals, the profits won’t go on to fund other crime and they won’t ruin lives or pollute our communities.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 – or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.