National Tackling Drugs Week

National Tackling Drugs Week is a key national platform, led by the Home Office, on which local and national agencies can publicise their efforts to tackle drug issues.

The purpose of this week is to increase public confidence in, and awareness of, the work being carried out which responds to drug priorities. This year's National Tackling Drugs Week was held from 8 to 12 June 2009.

During the week, Crimestoppers asked the public to help police rid communities of drugs by passing on information about drug related crime.

Michael Laurie, CBE, Crimestoppers' Chief Executive said: “Around 50% of information that is passed to Crimestoppers every year is about drugs offences so the public are clearly concerned about having drugs in their communities.

“Drug related crime can impact on communities by creating more drug addicts and further fuel additional crimes, which can bring associated dangers to communities. Help us stamp drug crime out in your area by contacting us with information.”

UPDATE: Crimestoppers received 50 actionable calls (calls with useful information) about cannabis farms during the first three days of National Tackling Drugs Week. [11 June 2009]

How can I pass on information about drugs to Crimestoppers?

Closing in on cannabis farms

During this week Crimestoppers focused specifically on helping the police locate cannabis farms that could be in residential properties on any ordinary, suburban street in towns and cities around the UK.

Watch Crimestoppers' film on how to spot cannabis farms

Why cannabis farms?

Cannabis cultivation can fuel a range of serious organised crimes including the possession of firearms, people trafficking, prostitution and money laundering.

These illegal operations pose a significant threat to our fire services as highly flammable and dangerous chemicals are used in the cultivating process. Another hazard is that electricity supplies are bypassed to supply enough energy to run around eighty 600 watt lamps that have the potential to overload. Also, as the properties are often booby-trapped this means that the fire fighters have to deal with highly unpredictable environments.

There are also concerns that the dangerous form of cannabis, known as ‘skunk', is being cultivated in these farms. According to a Home Office report published last year the majority of cannabis on the streets is ‘skunk'. The stronger potency of this drug can lead to anti-social and criminal behaviour, as well causing long-term mental health problems for some users.

Michael Laurie, CBE, Crimestoppers' Chief Executive said: “Around 50% of information that is passed to Crimestoppers every year is about drugs offences so the public are clearly concerned about having drugs in their communities.

“This week we want to get the public behind this campaign and help us put a severe dent in the dangerous and organised criminal activity than is behind cannabis cultivation. Not only do these farms endanger the lives of our fire fighters but they could also be exploiting vulnerable young people who are forced to work in them. Tell us where the farms are, not who you are.”

How can I pass on information about drugs to Crimestoppers?

The signs to spot cannabis farming:

• The windows of the property are permanently covered from the inside
• Visits to the premises occur at unusual times of the day or night
• People often do not live in the premises and only visit to maintain them. Offenders may call daily or weekly but usually do not stay long
• There may be a vent protruding through the roof or a rear window
• There may be a pungent smell coming from the premises
• There may be noise coming from the equipment in the premises (i.e. cooling fans)
• Black bin bags or laundry bags for removal of cannabis or by-products, such as used fertilizer
• Compost bags or gardening equipment left outside, usually in the rear of the premises
• Watch Crimestoppers' film on how to spot cannabis farms

Why should I be concerned about cannabis cultivation?

• Cannabis cultivation can facilitate a range of serious organised crimes including possession of firearms, class A drugs, people trafficking, prostitution, money laundering (through nail bars, sun beds, pubs, clubs etc). Often money goes back to Vietnam/China to fund their serious organised gangs, but increasingly UK organised criminals are ‘cashing in'.
• Harmful to young people – The Home Office ‘Cannabis Potency Study' published in 2008 found that the majority of the cannabis on the streets is now ‘skunk'. This contains an average of 16.2% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), whereas the traditional imported cannabis was 8.4%. The stronger potency leads to more anti social and criminal behaviour. The risks of developing mental health problems associated with cannabis use increase five-fold.
• Fire hazards – The electricity supply is bypassed so the electricity companies do not become suspicious of high usage and to get free electricity. Lamps which are used in the operation use 600Watts, and with approx 80 lamps used simultaneously they likely to overload. Both of these are potential fire hazards.
• By bypassing the electricity, a three-bedroom cannabis factory property will steal around £30,000 of electricity a year. This cost is passed onto the consumers, the general public.
• Building is at risk of collapsing – the houses used need to have a thorough vent system. Often holes are carelessly made in walls & ceilings leaving the building structure weak.

Crimestoppers plays a huge part in the fight against drug crime

Between April 2008 and March 2009:

• More than 50% of the actionable information we received was drug related (40,571 pieces of information)
• More than 50% of those arrested and charged made with the help of Crimestoppers information were for drug related offences (3,666 arrests)
• Over £19,000,000 worth of drugs has been seized with the help of information from Crimestoppers
• Crimestoppers received almost 38,000 pieces of actionable information about drugs offences

The statistics demonstrate how Crimestoppers successfully provide people with an alternative anonymous route where they can pass on information about drug crimes.

How can I pass on information about drugs to Crimestoppers?

Crimestoppers is asking for members of the public to pass on any information they may have on these cannabis farms by telephoning 0800 555 111 or via the secure online Giving Information Form. Both routes are 100% anonymous – names are not taken, calls are not traced or recorded and people do not have to go to court.

Read the National Tackling Drugs Week press release.

Listen to our National Tackling Drugs Week radio advert.

Watch Crimestoppers' film on how to spot cannabis farms