Cannabis warning to landlords

Photo: Rochdale Online photographer

Three sacks full of cannabis found during a raid in Castleton earlier this month

Property owners, letting agents and housing associations are being warned to be on their guard against cannabis farms.

A seminar organised by Greater Manchester Police (GMP)will warn of the impact this type of crime can have on properties and the damage it can do to communities.

The news follows a spate of cannabis farm raids by Police across Rochdale in recent weeks. Only yesterday, Rochdale Online reported raids on three seperate farms in Bamford, Norden and Heywood.

The event, being held at the City of Manchester Stadium on 11 June, has been devised by Scorpion — GMP’s drug crime fighting unit — and is part of a national week of action.

Landlords and letting agents will be shown how to recognise the tell-tale signs that their property is being targeted by drug gangs and get advice on what to do in that situation.

Video footage and photographs of cannabis farms and drug factories that have been shut down will also be shown.

Criminal gangs often remove internal walls and floors to maximise the space they have to grow cannabis and install watering and lighting systems that are dangerous and pose fire and electrocution risks.

They also install crude ventilation systems through external walls and roofs and store vast quantities of soil, compost and chemicals within and at the rear of properties.

All these structural changes can leave the building in an unsafe condition, may cause it to be condemned or at very least leave the landlord with a huge repair bill as most insurance companies are unlikely to pay out on buildings or contents policies in these situations.

Dozens of landlords and letting agents have already signed up to the seminar but organisers are keen to attract more to raise awareness of the situation.

If you would like to attend the seminar, contact Bob Collier on 0161-856 2218 or Dave Boon on 0161-856 2235.