New campaign to disrupt cannabis gangs

A crime charity has launched a new scheme in the North West to increase the number of reports about cannabis farms.

Crimestoppers hope that as well as disrupting the criminal gangs behind cultivation of the plant, the campaign will cut down on associated modern slavery, illegal immigration, violence and exploitation. 

It wants members of the public, landlords and letting agents to be alert to: 

• Pungent smells 

• High levels of condensation on windows, even in the warmer months 

• Constantly covered or blacked-out windows 

• A high number of large items being taken in or out 

• A constant buzz of ventilation 

• Strong, constant lighting day and night 

• Unsociable comings and goings 

Gary Murray, the Crimestoppers North West Regional Manager said: “Often those who are forced to work in these farms are subjected to appalling conditions and treatment.  

“The criminals who are setting up these grows do not care about the dangers to those who live nearby or those that are forced to work there. 

“Every piece of information given to Crimestoppers is vital in building the intelligence picture of those who are involved in serious organised criminal activity, and in helping to reduce crime and save lives.” 

Mr Murray was also keen to add that although Crimestoppers passes on intelligence to the police, the organisation has never given away the identity of anybody who has reported information to them. 

The charity dealt with 35,000 leads in 2024. It said that those involved in growing cannabis are often from South East Asia or Eastern Europe and are forced into doing so in ‘terrible living conditions’.