Cannabis farm located at Hawkswroth Drive, Formby

Cannabis farm located at Hawkswroth Drive, Formby. Merseyside Police are investigating the discovery of a cannabis farm in Formby yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 13 February.

Shortly before 12 pm, officers attended an address on Hawksworth Drive, Formby and discovered 583 cannabis plants with a potential annual yield of £2.3 million. Utility services attended to make the property safe along with the force's Cannabis Dismantling Team, who seized all plants and growing equipment.

The investigation is on-going to locate those involved with the cultivation of this cannabis farm including forensic enquiries.

Superintendent Matthew Boyle has said "This is a great result, the sheer quantity of the plants was rather substantial and I’m glad that the potential of this drug being sold on our streets has been significantly reduced.

“The property itself was dangerous in terms of electrics. It is a huge fire risk for neighbouring properties.

“I hope that by locating cannabis farms like this it shows that we are determined to make our communities safer and take away the risk they bring.

“We continue to advise people that if they suspect suspicious activity to please get in touch.

"We would ask that if you believe someone is using a property as a cannabis farm, please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up.

"Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are: Strange smells and sounds. Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times. Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertilizer, fans and industrial lighting. Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed. Heat from an adjoining property Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather. Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more sinister.

“For more guidance, check out our website here.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.