Police want residents to be aware of dangers in neighbourhood

Ealing Police are inviting local residents to see inside a drugs factory in an effort to crackdown on the growth of such crimes.

They say organized gangs are targeting private houses and other buildings advertised for letting purposes. The houses / buildings are advertised either through local news papers or letting agents.

‘Clients’ may offer to pay rent in advance in cash as well as a cash deposit.

Private houses are then converted into cannabis factories, heating, lighting, ventilation and hydroponic equipment are brought into the premise and very often structural damage is caused to the building in order to vent away heat and fumes. Damage often exceeds £50,000.

Electricity supply is always tampered with and houses are often ‘booby trapped’ posing a huge fire safety risk and a personal safety risk.

The Metropolitan Police Service has created a ‘Drug Lorry’ to be used as an educational tool.
The lorry has a unit on it’s rear, the unit is a purpose built ‘mock' cannabis factory complete with heating, lighting and ventilation units.

The lorry will be located at Little Ealing Primary School, Weymouth Avenue, Ealing, W5 (car park entrance on Hereford Road) On Monday 13th May 2013 between the hours of 16.45 and 20.00 hrs.

It will also be at Ealing Christian Centre car park on Northfield Avenue between 16.30 and 20.00 on the 20th May.

You are invited to attend the site and look through the Drug Lorry and speak to the officers on scene, general crime prevention advice will be available.

9th May 2013