700 cannabis plants found growing within illegal farm inside Kirkby home

Officers from the county’s Operation Reacher team and the Ashfield Safer Neighbourhood Team were called to an address in Kirkby yesterday afternoon (January 14) after a large cannabis grow was discovered.

A total of three men were arrested at the scene ‘following a game of hide and seek’ according to officers and 700 plants were recovered.

Pictures of the large cannabis farm inside the Kirkby home shows a small room full with hundreds of plants and bright lights to encourage growth.

In a message on Facebook, Ashfield police warned residents about the human cost of harvesting cannabis plants.

“Not one in our usual style but we want to pass an important message”, they said.

"We often see a lot of negativity towards the discovery of cannabis grows but these are extremely dangerous and the circumstances surrounding them tend to lead to other offences such as modern day slavery and often fund organised criminality.

"Similar to County Lines offending, children and young people can be targeted due to debts that they or their family owe.

“This is also similar with adults who suffer with mental health difficulties or who are ‘easily led’.

"Victims can be cuckooed, where other people will take over their house and grow cannabis in one room.

"They often will have no control over this and be afraid of being held responsible and evicted”.

Officers also highlighted the fire risk involved with growing a large amount of cannabis plants under a number of hot lights.

The message continued: “As our earlier post stated that there are large fire risks attached to cannabis grows, especially of this magnitude.

"Bypassed electricity, overcrowding of sockets, major structural issues and the increased heat all greaten the chance of an ignition which could be catastrophic to neighbouring properties and other community amenities, such as schools and shops.

"This obviously presents a threat to life.”

Anyone who has any information or wishes to report sightings to the Operation Reacher team in Nottinghamshire can contact officers by emailing [email protected].

Man fighting for life after being stabbed by intruder who broke into his home near Mansfield

Dangerous driver punished by court after incident in Mansfield

Nottinghamshire police have issued almost 1,000 coronavirus fines since last March

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.