Local Priorities Drugs and related issues Concern Update

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Drugs and related issues, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

A man has been arrested after officers located a cannabis factory in Farnborough last night.

We were called at 10.29pm on 14 August to a report of suspicious behaviour at a residential property on Farnborough Road.

Officers attended the address and located approximately 200 cannabis plants in various stages of growth.

A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis plant – a Class B controlled drug.

He remains in custody while our enquiries continue.

We know some people think it is just a bit of cannabis, but we want to stress that any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm.

Large-scale operations are often run by organised crime gangs, who are likely to engage in very serious violence involving weapons, such as firearms.

The electrical requirement to grow a large number of plants is also dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives, in danger.

We encourage people to please continue to report suspicious behaviour and suspected drug dealing in your neighbourhood to police, as the information you provide helps us develop the bigger picture that leads us to take action and remove drugs from the streets.

People can contact us on 101 or online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/. Anyone with information regarding this specific incident should quote reference 44250367664.

The illicit drugs market is big business, worth an estimated £9.4 billion a year and drug deaths have reached an all-time. Taking the health harms, costs of crime and wider impacts on society together, it is estimated the total costs of drugs to society are over £19 billion, which is more than twice the value of the market itself.

If you are adversely affected by antisocial behaviour in your community associated with drug use, The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 outlines the flexible tools and powers that the police, local authorities and other local agencies can use to respond quickly and effectively to antisocial behaviour.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at www.hampshire.police.uk, or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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