POLICE arrested a man following the discovery of a drugs farm in Birkenhead.

Officers seized 20 cannabis plants from the address in Argyle Street South on Wednesday morning.

The raid was part of Merseyside Police's two-week crackdown on cannabis farms.

The farm would have an estimated annual yield of nearly £80,000.

The plants were recovered alongside growing equipment, and the electricity was found to have been illegally bypassed.

A 28-year-old man from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis, abstraction of electricity and possession of class A drugs.

He has been released pending a disposal decision.

The scene was cordoned-off to enable officers to recover the cannabis and forensically examine the scene.

Sergeant Roy Dufton-Kelly said: "Every cannabis farm our officers seize and every arrest marks another step in our efforts to disrupt the activities of criminals growing cannabis.

"Yesterday’s find comes in the middle of a fortnight of activities during which the force is using everything at our disposal to find cannabis farms and bring those responsible for setting them up to justice.

"Police are visiting retailers such as DIY stores and garden centres to raise awareness of the types of purchases made by criminals looking to set up cannabis farms, and officers are speaking with letting agencies and landlords, as many cannabis growers take advantage of short-term tenancy agreements to grow the drug.

"Unoccupied properties could be subject to utilities being disconnected and other partner agencies will be educated on the signs a cannabis factory is in a property."

Sergeant Dufton-Kelly added: "Information from the public is vital, so we can continue to target cannabis cultivation and drug dealing in our communities.

"I’m sure no-one would like to live next door to these potential death traps and I'd ask again if you believe someone is using a property for this purpose, please tell us so we can take action and find those responsible for setting them up."

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, fertiliser, 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 taken together they may indicate something more sinister. 

Anyone with any information should telephone police using the 101 number or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.