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Neighbours surprise at 'cannabis factory' find

By Jennie Slevin
January 11, 2013

Neighbours have spoken of their surprise after police discovered the suspected remains of a cannabis factory.

Officers raided a home in Crowthorne after they believed they could smell cannabis coming from the bungalow on Friday.

Hydroponic lighting equipment, used in the production of marijuana plants, was found when police searched an outbuilding at the house in Pinewood Avenue.

Kathryn Downey, 37, who moved to the cul-de-sac with her husband and two young daughters last August, said: “We moved here because it’s such a nice neighbourhood.

“The schools are great and there are lots of young families with children.

“It’s very concerning to think that sort of thing could be happening around here.”

Suspected cannabis factory found at Crowthorne home

Another neighbour said: “This is a very quiet neighbourhood and at this end of the street, if anyone was hanging around you’d know about it.

“It doesn’t really surprise me, because of what goes on these days, not because of this street.

“You see places that are in more well-to-do society than us and they’ve had their share of cannabis factories.”

The neighbour, who lives just a few doors away from the alleged factory added: “It’s a quiet area, people come and go, though. I had no idea. I saw the police cars and wondered what was going on.

“But if I don’t know anything about it why should I be worried about it?”

Sean Mobsby, a 19-year-old student who was at home for the Christmas holiday, said: “I’m annoyed, to think this sort of thing could happen here.”

A 48-year-old man has been cautioned for possession of a class B drug, following his arrest after the raid.

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Most recent user comments 3 of 3

Hi Dave 35.

Do you have any evidence for that?

If it were true, could that simply be because 'those people' have easier access to cannabis?

Furthermore, is it relevant - if your statement was true of people who drink alcohol, would that mean alcohol should be made illegal?

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
11/01/2013 at 14:42

It had been scientifically and medically proven that cannabis is less harmful and less addictive than alcohol and tobacco, so it makes no sense to me that the UK continues the prohibition of cannabis while tolerating alcohol and tobacco, just in order to appear tough on drugs. Cannabis doesn't belong amongst dangerous drugs such as cocaine or heroin, or even alcohol and tobacco.

Rather than keep cannabis illegal despite its widespread use and safer nature than alcohol and tobacco, the UK's prohibition of cannabis pushes this profitable industry into the black market where dealers are free to sell to minors and the profit generated evades taxes.

It would be better for all for cannabis to become regulated and taxed like alcohol and tobacco. Then licensed stores would have to ask for ID before selling and minors would no longer be able to consume it. And the tax revenue would contribute to getting us out of this recession. It would also free up police and court resources to focus on real crimes with real victims.

The vast majority of cannabis users are responsible, working and tax-paying adult citizens who consume cannabis in the privacy of their homes and harm no one with their consumption.

Guillaume Mercier
11/01/2013 at 12:39

Why don't we try taking a completely new approach to cannabis? Around three million people in Britain are regular users and whatever we do we're not going to be able to stop them.

We waste £500 million every year on police, court and prison resources when a large proportion of society uses cannabis without any problem at all. In fact, the only real problem with cannabis is that it's illegal.

The risks to health are very small - much, much less than alcohol or tobacco. By a recent analysis of mortality, hospital admissions, toxicity and propensity to psychosis, cannabis is nearly 3000 times safer than alcohol. Why not introduce a tax and regulate system and realise the benefits?

That way we'd have a properly regulated supply chain with no criminals involved, no theft of electricity, no human trafficking, no destruction of property and disruption of neighbourhoods. Then there would be some control over this huge market. There would be thousands of new jobs, sales would be from licensed outlets to adults only with guaranteed quality and safety. Then our police could start going after some real wrongdoing instead of trying to fight a crime that exists only because of a misguided government policy.