Police tear down fire-risk drugs den

A DRUGS den in Cudworth, Barnsley, has been dismantled after being uncovered by the police.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Annette Cooley was out on foot patrol when she found the den, made from materials including branches and twigs, concealed in trees behind the Dorothy Hyman sports centre.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “The den was very well concealed, well constructed, and made up of cut down trees, tarpaulin, sheets of plastic and vast amounts of sponging material.”

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The force added that the den had “high fire and safety risks, due to the materials used for the den and the location”.

Police officers then agreed with Barnsley Council and the fire service that the den should be dismantled due to the “high safety risks”.

Sergeant Stephanie Smith, from Cudworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “There was such a great concern when the den was found, due to the high risk of fire because of the materials used, especially if some where using it as a place to smoke illegal substances.

“I urge anyone who is involved in this kind of activity to think of the risks associated as not only are they putting themselves in danger, but the local community.”