Five regional honourably named Police Crime Commissioners have signed and sent letters to PRS letting agents outlining the considerable problem of cannabis farming in rental properties.

The PCCs from Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and Gloucestershire, are urging landlords and housing associations to report any suspicions of properties ‘housing’ cannabis farms. The forces have also written to national associations involved with landlords and lettings agents to raise awareness levels across the sector in its battle against cannabis farms.

The Operation Scorpion is focussed upon ‘weeding out crime gangs’ highly organised drug supply chains and the letter advises ‘readers’ on how to identify suspected farming tenants and properties which include:

The letter also spells out agents and housing companies’ legal obligations to report any suspicions and the information that should be included when contacting police and how to file a report.

The letter to agents and housing companies says: “Communities where drugs are cultivated and dealt are simply fed up with the misery this type of crime brings to their doorsteps.

“Of course, we are all aware of the detrimental effects, misery, and harm that illegal drugs bring, not only to our wider communities but to those vulnerable individuals within society who are often forced, coerced, or exploited into conducting this illegal activity on the behalf of organised criminals. But unless it is happening where you live, day in and day out, you are extremely likely to be unaffected by it.

“Criminals target properties for cultivation and we are calling on all landlords, letting agents and housing companies to be wise to the types of activity that could be happening in their properties.