Could this waiting for you at home?

As part of the Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives week (19th-23rd May 2008), Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Crime & Drugs Partnership are launching an initiative to raise awareness amongst Landlords of the dangers of their properties being used as cannabis growths by criminal gangs.

The issue will be highlighted on East Midlands Today during their programme on Monday 19th May. A crew from the programme was shown a Nottingham property which had been taken over as a growth. It was only discovered after the house caught fire, due to dangerous modifications the criminals had made.

The property was also extensively damaged by other alterations the gang had made, including removing floorboards, cutting a hole in a ceiling to allow for a ventilation system, and rewiring the electrical system to cope with additional demands of growing a large amount of cannabis.

To raise awareness of a growing problem, the CDP will be contacting Landlords to offer advice in spotting the tell-tale signs of criminal activity at a rented property.

Chief Inspector Barry Harper surveys the damage of a cannabis growth

Nottinghamshire Police have also produced a leaflet with information for Landlords, advice on how to reduce the chances of their property being used to grow cannabis and what to look out for, as well as the law and responsibilities.

This document can be downloaded from here

Advice for Landlords to look out for Cannabis Growing Premises:

• Unusual movements, especially at night.
• Loading and unloading of vehicles. Lighting equipment, vent pipes and full black bin liners.
• Large quantities of spent compost and used pots.
• Waste vegetable matter. Leaves, stems and roots.
• Smell of Cannabis.
• Blacked out windows.
• Additional or large air extractor vents.

Dealing with potential tenants:

• Reluctance of occupants to allow entry for routine matters usually giving excuses such as elderly relation sick or not liking visitors.
• Offer if increased rent over and above asking price.
• Wish to move in quickly.
• Unusual interest in Electricity Supply.
• Cash Payments with No bank details.
• Lack of References.