A CANNABIS factory with an estimated annual yield of £1.6m was found by police at a house in Wallasey today.

Spread across four separate rooms of the property in Carrington Road it contained about 400 plants and was uncovered by police during a raid this morning.

Growing equipment was also seized.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.

Community Inspector Paul Harrison said: "Sadly, dealers are intent on continuing to peddle illegal drugs despite restrictions on travel.

"But having seen a decrease in calls overall, we have been able to do more proactively to disrupt criminals involved in serious and organised crime, as well as anti-social behaviour in our communities.

"Cannabis grown on this sort of scale presents a huge risk to people living nearby.

"Electricity and water simply do not mix and nobody wants to live next door to a property at risk of fire and flood.

"The production of cannabis can also attract serious violent crime to the doorsteps of those properties and we're determined to remove the threat they pose to the safety of people in Merseyside.

"We will keep working with local authorities, energy companies and housing providers to find and seize cannabis farms.

"If you are worried that cannabis is being grown in your community, tell us what you know and we will take action like the action we have taken to make your streets safer.

"Be aware of some of the signs and how to report them to us, and we’ll do the rest."

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, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting
  • Windows sealed and covered or curtains permanently closed 
  • Heat from an adjoining property
  • Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather

Anyone with information on suspected cannabis growing in their community can contact @ MerPolCC, call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.