POLICE have uncovered a North-East drugs farm as a national charity launched Scratch and Sniff cards to help people recognise cannabis cultivation in their neighbourhoods.

Officers raided a house in Harperley Gardens, Stanley, recently and found between 40 and 50 plants on the premises following tip offs from the community.

The plants have been removed and extensive enquiries are being carried out to establish who is responsible for them.

The find coincides with the launch of the Crimestoppers initiative to help people who do not know what cannabis smells like identify it.

Sergeant Michael McGowan, who is based in Stanley, said: “This find is a direct result of acting on community intelligence and we continue to urge people to come forward if they have any suspicions about houses in their area.

“As far as cannabis cultivation is concerned, the things to look out for are blinds or curtains kept drawn, unusual comings and goings around a supposedly unoccupied house, and vehicles turning up regularly at unsocial hours. There may also be a distinctive smell coming from the property.

“A particular clue at this time of year is the roof. If there is snow around and one house in the street doesn’t have any snow on its roof, this could be because of the heat being generated inside as part of the cannabis cultivation, especially if all the other suspicious signs are there.”

Anyone who has suspicions like this can contact their local neighbourhood team on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.