Landlords in Northumbria have been urged to check their properties regularly for cannabis farms following a string of dangerous fires and two deaths as the result of a dangerous drug lab.

The region’s police and crime commissioner Susan Dungworth wants landlords to help tackle a rise in cannabis growing, as 90% of cannabis used in Britain is grown in cannabis farms set up in rented homes.

Tell-tale signs can include extra security windows that are covered, lots of moisture, a strong sweet smell, constantly bright lights, more air systems and wires that have been changed.

Police often uncover cannabis production links to other illegal activity such as human trafficking and violence, with organised crime groups often behind this, reports Dungworth.

She believes growing cannabis in a rented home makes the area less safe and can lead to devastating consequences.

Death traps

A huge house explosion in Benwell recently killed two people, including a seven-year-old boy due to a drug lab making cannabis gummies using butane gas canisters.

“Growing cannabis at home is like setting up death traps because of the many risks involved,” Dungworth explained.

“Landlords and letting agents have a responsibility to check on their tenants and be aware of what their properties are being used for.

“I’d encourage landlords to regularly visit their properties and make sure nothing suspicious is going on. Make sure you carry out background checks on those you want to rent to.”

She adds that intelligence-sharing from landlords and the wider community in the past few months has helped police dismantle multiple farms and arrest suspects.

“Police officers in the North East have seized more than £3.2million worth of cannabis plants and arrested ten people in a drug crackdown.”

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