Do you suspect there could be a Cannabis Farm in your Street?

Cannabis farms can crop up in any residential area, not just in homes but in the back of shops, warehouses and derelict buildings. It is vital you inform us of any information that will help us to identify them.

Signs to look out for are:

Strong, sickly smells
It may sound obvious, but most cannabis grows are discovered by passers-by or keen-nosed residents catching a whiff of the drug’s familiar smell. A cannabis crop takes about three months to grow and in the final weeks, the plants stink. 

Windows are constantly covered
Do your neighbours have the curtains drawn all day long? It might make it look like the house is unoccupied, but having windows blocked up with panelling or sheeting would suggest there’s something they don’t want you to see. This could be a sign that there are many budding plants inside soaking up bright artificial light.
 

Excessive security
Growers live in constant fear that their home-grown farms will be discovered by police, landlords or rival drug dealers. If there are padlocks on the gates, massive grilles and double and triple locks on the doors, that should raise eyebrows – especially if the street is relatively safe. On bigger, high value farms, portcullises, bars on the windows and even CCTV cameras can be evident.

High levels of condensation
Are the windows always misted up? From the inside, landlords might notice damp on the walls or peeling wallpaper, while from the outside a neighbour might spot condensation on the windows, even when it’s not the depths of winter. The condensation may well be due to inside having been turned into a makeshift greenhouse. For the best plant growth, cannabis needs an atmosphere similar to a greenhouse, and this can cause a lot of condensation.

Lots of visitors - and at unsociable hours
Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times, could mean you just have a popular neighbour with a big family. But if unfamiliar faces are turning up next door day and night, it might be a sign that there’s something more sinister going on. One thing to watch for is lots of new faces coming knocking.

 

Other signs to look out for

·  Plant growing equipment being taken into property.

·  Bright lights day and night.

·  Buzz of ventilation.

·  Lots of cables and wiring.

·  Snow – Cannabis farms produce a lot of heat. Be wary of a property without a snow-covered roof.

If you suspect there may be a cannabis farm in your street, please let us know!

Security Advice to Prevent Tool Theft

1Don't Leave Valuables on Show: It might sound obvious but leaving items on show is an invitation to the opportunist criminal - mobile phones, satnavs and mounts, power leads, money, wallets, handbags, sunglasses, sports clothing and bags - should be removed from the vehicle or hidden well out of sight.

2Hide Keys & Fobs : Keys and ignition fobs should be kept safe and out of sight and reach. A common way to steal a vehicle is to take the keys or ignition fob, either when left in the vehicle, so never leave them in the vehicle, even if it is unattended for a moment. When at home ensure that your keys or ignition fob are kept well away from windows or doors so that they cannot be seen by a potential thief, and never leave them close to the front door where they can be accessed through letterboxes.

3Lock Doors & Close Windows! : Always lock and close the windows of your vehicle when unattended, be this on the drive, the petrol station forecourt, when de-icing your vehicle in the winter or when getting a ticket to park. An unlocked vehicle is the easiest to steal or steal from If your vehicle is not fitted with a manufacturers’ fitted alarm and/or immobiliser, consider installing an approved system. Most new vehicles come with one fitted, you can find out more from the Thatcham Research Centre. The Thatcham Research Consumer Security Rating assesses a new vehicle’s all-round security.

4Install a Tracker: Tracker systems can increase the recovery of your van if it is stolen. Many systems activate once the van is stolen and track the car via GPS and other systems. SBD have several members which specialise in this area and can advise on the best system and fitting of the product for your vehicle type.

5Use Physical Security: Fit theft-resistant number plate fittings. Stolen number plates are commonly used to hide the identity of stolen vehicles. Use one-way clutch head screws to secure number plates. Physical security products such as a steering wheel lock or a lock that fits over the gear lever still act as a good deterrent. Alternatively, a security box can be fitted over the pedals to prevent thefts when the vehicle is parked up. Where possible, keep your van in a garage. Parking your vehicle out of view is one of the best ways to prevent opportunist theft.

6Fit a Garage Alarm: If you have a house alarm system, consider connecting it to the garage. Another option is to park your van on a drive. If your drive has gates, consider closing them at night or when you are not using your vehicle.