Cannabis farms exposed as force returns to traditional policing

Senior officers from North Yorkshire Police have admitted that the economic downturn has led to financially-stricken individuals turning to crime, including drug dealing, to raise a much needed source of income.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last year that a burgeoning cottage industry of cannabis production had begun to emerge in often remote parts of the county as many fledgling drug dealers are exploiting rural locations in the hope their illicit trade will go unnoticed.

However, a major drive to return to traditional policing and ensure more officers are deployed into the heart of North Yorkshire's communities is now beginning to reap the rewards after information about suspicious activity is filtering through.

An operation in the rural parts of the Selby district which was set up in mid-June has already uncovered five small-scale cannabis farms, the majority of which officers believe were established as a result of the recession.

Insp Richard Abbott, from the Selby Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, has helped co-ordinate Operation Orate, which was launched on June 15 to target criminal activity throughout the district. However, he admitted that some of the most important information which has been received in recent weeks is linked specifically to the drugs trade.

He said: "People have turned to drug dealing as a means of making a fast buck if they have been affected by the recession, but they have not taken into account the actual consequences.

"We have built up some close links with the communities across the rural Selby district, and we are now getting some important information in about suspicious activity that could be linked to the drugs trade.

"Fortunately drug crime still remains relatively low in the Selby district, and North Yorkshire is one of the safest places to live in the country. But we are determined to target any drug crime as it often leads to other offences such as theft and burglary to pay for the actual drugs."

Countryside communities are being urged to remain vigilant for any suspicious activity in farm buildings which could be used in the drug trade, such as lights being used throughout the day and night and a large number of power cables being installed.

The latest drugs raid under Operation Orate was carried out on Tuesday when police discovered the largest cannabis farm so far at a property in Station Lane, Cliffe, near Selby.

An unemployed 22-year-old man was arrested and has been released on bail after 93 plants were found, the majority in sheds which were kitted out for the cultivation of cannabis.

It is estimated the plants could have produced cannabis with a street value of up to 53,000.

It is hoped more intelligence will be provided by the public about other criminal activity after Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell placed a major emphasis on getting more officers into North Yorkshire's communities.

Closer links are being built with residents through community forums and officers are becoming more involved with schools to warn pupils of the dangers of drugs.

Mr Maxwell commissioned a force-wide review to counter the escalating financial pressures when he joined three years ago.

It identified the need to get more officers out on the beat to act as a deterrent and prevent offences in the county, which in turn is aiming to bring in major savings for the force.

Anyone who wants to report suspicious activity in their area can contact North Yorkshire Police's Safer Neighbourhood Teams on 0845 6060247.