Operation sees numerous buildings protected from risk of being used for cannabis grows

Dozens of empty buildings in Derby have had their security measures bolstered as part of an operation to clampdown on commercial cannabis grows.

Op Cleargrow has seen officers identify about 50 vacant buildings in and around the city centre as being potentially at risk of being turned into commercial cannabis factories.

Police community support officers (PCSOs) from the Derby City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) conduct regular patrols in and around the city centre.

Part of their brief is to spot derelict buildings which could be at risk of being broken into and used for drug production.

They then work with public protection officers (PPOs) and Derby's Business Improvement District (BID) rangers to contact the estate agent, landlord or letting agent to visit the property to check for anything out of the ordinary, signs of cannabis grows and to help with implementing better security measures.

Many of the buildings have now been searched or cleared by officers, thus making it harder for criminals to carry out illegal activity.  

The buildings identified range from small to large disused properties which had varying previous uses, from estate agents to banks and restaurants.

Officers have also made use of the drone unit for flyovers, which has helped them to clear several properties.

The operation was launched following the discovery of a large cannabis grow spread across four floors of a building in St James Street in January this year.

A 31-year-old man was jailed for a year in March after pleading guilty to producing Class B drugs.

Police Constable Nick Hinett, of the Derby City Centre SNT, said: “We recognise that empty properties are being targeted to be used for large-scale cannabis grows and are taking proactive action to tackle this issue.

“We identified a number of vacant buildings in the city which we felt could be vulnerable to criminals looking for a place to base their drug production factories, and set about working with the owners to make these spaces safe and secure.

“This has had a positive impact so far on disrupting the production of Class B drugs in Derby and this preventative work, allied to our enforcement work, will continue in conjunction with our partners.”

Councillor Sarah Chambers, cabinet member for communities, equalities and public safety at Derby City Council, said: “Enforcement action such as Op Cleargrow is just one example of how partners are working hand in hand to improve our city centre.  By working with Derbyshire police, the Cathedral Quarter BIDs and property owners, we want to ensure that vacant buildings are more resilient to criminal activity, with the ambition of seeing them occupied.

“Through projects such as Vacant to Vibrant – which is bringing empty city centre units back into use through grant funding – we’re transforming the city centre, including on Sadler Gate and St James’s Street. New businesses are already establishing themselves with the opening of The Tannery and Craftcore, with more to come. 

“Keeping our city centre safe is a top priority and we will continue to work together with partners to ensure that the city centre is a welcoming place for residents and visitors.”

Brad Worley, BID manager for Derby's Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, said: "We're proud to support Derbyshire police with this proactive work.

“By helping identify and secure vulnerable vacant properties, we're reducing opportunities for crime and helping keep the city centre safer for businesses, residents and visitors.

“The results speak for themselves and we can already see the difference this operation has made."

Here’s how you can spot the signs of criminal activity, such as cannabis grows:-

Crimes can be reported to us using one of the methods below. 

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.

For emergencies call 999.