ALMOST 400 cannabis plants have been seized by the county’s police force in Warwick district over the past two years.
The number of people caught with the drug has risen by 28 per cent between 2008 and 2009.
In 2008, 58 people were caught in possession of the class B drug around Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick, which increased to 74 last year.
The number of people arrested for the cultivation of cannabis rose slightly, from four to five, during the same period.
But the number of cannabis plants seized has fallen by more than a half.
In 2008, 267 plants were seized but this fell to 108 in 2009.
Warwick District Commander Neil Harrison said that cannabis-related offences are not high on the force’s crime-fighting agenda.
He said: “I do not consider these figures to be a significant increase.
“The cultivation is not a force priority as it is not a massive problem, but we understand the concerns.
“Over the past few months we have really pushed for a far greater proactive approach to looking. We have changed the way we react to calls from the public.
“We have significantly increased the number of stop and searches we carry out on the streets.”
He also said that cannabis-related arrests are ones which could lead to a term of imprisonment and encouraged members of the public to report any drug use.
“We rely on public awareness and if anyone suspects anything then we advise them to contact the police in the usual way or via Crimestoppers anonymously,” he said.
“Alternatively they can talk to their safer neighbourhood team. It’s also important for people to know that if they call the police and they don’t see a presence straight away, it might be because we’re operating in a more discreet way.”
To contact the police call 01926 415000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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