Man and two teenage boys arrested in Halewood after cannabis farm burglary
A 21-year-old man and two boys aged 14 and 15 remain in custody
A man and two teenage boys have been arrested after a cannabis farm was broken into and plants were stolen.
Merseyside Police said it received a report just after 9.30pm on Sunday 18th October that several males armed with crowbars had been seen at an address on Poulton Close.
When officers arrived, the fence and a window at the address had been damaged and a large cannabis farm was uncovered.
Several of the cannabis plants had been stolen, and a trail of soil led officers to a nearby house in the same area.
A 21-year-old man and two teenage boys aged 14 and 15 from Halewood were arrested at the address on suspicion of burglary and possession with intent to supply a controlled Class B drug.
Police said officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis and soil was found in their shoes.
What was found
A large pillowcase of cannabis plants and several snap bags of cannabis were found during a search of the house.
Officers also seized three electric bikes, an electric scooter, a mobile phone and a flick knife.
All three were taken to a police station in Merseyside, where they remain in custody.
What police have said
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Robert Budden said: "Around 23 cannabis plants were discovered by our officers overnight and three were arrested on suspicion of burglary after a trail of soil led us to several plants at a house in Halewood following a thorough police search.
"Our officers will always act on any reports we receive about illicit drugs being stored in our community and we will continue to proactively find and remove these harmful cannabis farms. If you suspect that drugs are being manufactured, stored or supplied where you are, please continue to contact police, or call Crimestoppers anonymously."
How to spot a cannabis farm
Matt Brown, the head of Merseyside Police's Cannabis Dismantling Team, explains how to spot signs of cannabis being grown near where you live in a video, which can be found here: https://youtu.be/rc59i2dsZHM
Some of the signs include:
Strange smells and sounds
Frequent and varied visitors to an address, often at unusual times
Gardening equipment being taken into a house, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting
Windows being sealed and covered, or curtains being permanently closed
Heat from an adjoining house
Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather
How to report information
Anyone with information on suspected drug supply should contact Merseyside Police via X or Facebook @MerPolCC.
Information can also be reported on the force's website at https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.
Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via its website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously