In three months, police have shut down 61 cannabis farms in Rotherham
Residents in Rotherham are experiencing regular power cuts because drug dealers are stealing energy for their cannabis farms.
Since October 2021, police have shut down 61 farms and seized 6,797 plants with an estimated street value of £6.8m in the South Yorkshire town.
Operation Grow has also resulted in officers arresting 25 suspected drug producers working for 17 gangs, with 10 prosecuted and two jailed.
Local MP Sarah Champion said that the cannabis farms were causing power outages “sometimes four times a day.”
The farms require considerable power to ensure the plants get plenty of heat, light, and humidity and gangs are stealing the energy needed to keep them running. The Daily Star reported that some criminals had dressed as workmen and posed as power company staff to dig up pavements and drain mains supplies.
Champion told the Star that many of the farms were run by organised crime gangs, and that it’s not just the power cuts that are an issue.
She said: “There’s modern slaves that are physically inside the properties. And then rival gangs will have turf wars.”
In #Rotherham we're seeing massive successes in our operation to rid the town of cannabis farms.
Cultivating cannabis has proven links to organised crime, violence and exploitation.
Read our results here: https://t.co/eqxC9wEZxC pic.twitter.com/rsXOCBXqSN
— South Yorkshire Police (@syptweet) February 4, 2022
Local residents have spoken about living with the constant power outages.
One said: “It was every day. No cooking, no cleaning, no radiators, because the gas boiler uses electricity.”
“You couldn’t do anything, just wait for them until they turn it back on. But I’m not going to report it because I’m not a snitch.’’
Another added that he and his children were forced out of their home because of the power cuts with his lights going on and off like a “Christmas tree”.
The local council and South Yorkshire Police are working together to drive the cannabis gangs out of town.
District police commander Chief Superintendent Steve Chapman said: “Where drugs are, you are certain to find gang rivalry, violence, and exploitation and we are going in hard in a bid to disrupt the supply chain.
“We are working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to issue prohibition notices on any particularly problematic premises. The partnership is also educating landlords on how to safeguard their properties from being targeted by those wishing to grow and store drugs.”
South Yorkshire Police have asked that the public “support us in our efforts, report any concerns and help us to keep Rotherham a safe place to live.”
Chapman continued: “Cannabis farms are not only illegal, they are incredibly dangerous and present a substantial fire risk due to electricity being bypassed. If you have any concerns about the production, storage, and supply of drugs, please report these to police.”
Alternatively, people can pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers and remain completely anonymous on 0800 555 111,
A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid, which supplies Rotherham’s electricity supply, said: “We’re working closely with South Yorkshire Police after power cuts in the local area were caused by suspicious overload activities.’’
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