A CANNABIS farm worth around £900,000 has been uncovered in a home in the town centre.

Officers received the report at around 2.20pm to an address on Shaw Street after 225 cannabis plants were found in the loft and bedrooms, along with equipment.

The farm had a potential yearly yield of approximately £900,000.

St Helens Star:

The electricity was also bridged at the location, and subsequently made safe by the power company.

Cannabis Dismantling Team officers dismantled the farm today and enquiries continue to locate the occupants.

Matt Brown, manager of the CDT, said: “It is pleasing to see such a significant premises identified and made safe for the people of St Helens.

"The larger the set-up, the more risk to the communities we serve and protect.

“The risks of living close to this location are plain to see, with flood and fire risk inevitable, plus the serious and violent crime that cannabis supply attracts.

St Helens Star:

"If you suspect that cannabis is being grown near you, get in touch and we can remove the risk. It is vital that we keep dismantling these premises, and disrupting those who choose to endanger others."

Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:

• Strange smells and sounds

• Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times

• Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting

• Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed

• Heat from an adjoining property

• Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather

• Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more sinister.

Anyone with information on suspected cannabis growing in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and we will do the rest.