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'Informative press coverage' leads to drug bust

Police have praised a weekly newspaper for its “informative coverage” after it enabled them to unearth a drugs den in a suburban street.

Last week the Wokingham Times carried a front-page splash about cannabis factories springing up in neighbourhoods around the Berkshire town with advice for residents on how to spot one.

As a result, one vigilant Times reader contacted local police about a suspected cannabis factory in their street which led to officers seizing 200 plants from the property.

Pc Craig Woolnough, from Thames Valley Police, told The Times: “Almost the whole of the house and garage were being utilised for the cultivation of several hundred plants of various maturity.

“One person was arrested at the house and a forensic examination of the premises then followed before the house was cleared.

“A combination of informative press coverage and vigilant members of the local community led to the discovery and decommissioning of a local cannabis factory in a quiet cul-de-sac.”

The information about how to spot drug dens was produced in a story by reporter Lewis Rudd last week after quizzing the commander of Wokingham police at a media briefing.

Earlier in the week, Lewis had been to a raid in Twyford where nearly 400 plants were found.

In November, Archant London weekly the Barking and Dagenham Post reported a similar police success story after its readers were made aware of indicators that a drug factory may be in operation by the paper.

Lewis told HTFP: “I’d like to call myself the ‘cannabis correspondent’ given the number of warrants I’ve been asked to attend in recent months.

“On this occasion I was asked to probe the issue more with the local police commander about how a resident may be able to detect signs of a cannabis factory or the usage of drugs.

“While she was happy to explain what might be expected of a cannabis factory, I had no idea it would lead to such a great result.

“For someone to pick up on these comments, which subsequently lead to the closure of what is considered a large cannabis factory, is fantastic.”

Times news editor Vicky Corbett added: “We knew the story last week was in the public interest but had no idea it would result in another cannabis factory being closed down so soon.

“It just shows the vital role local papers can play in police appeals and getting information like this to residents.”