Officers raid 'drug house' to find two centrally-heated guinea pigs

Police have apologised after officers swooped on a woman's house expecting to find a "hothouse" cannabis factory – only to discover an electric heater keeping two guinea pigs warm.

By The Newsroom Tuesday, 11th January 2011, 11:06 pm Updated Tuesday, 11th January 2011, 11:07 pm

Six officers in three vehicles rushed to Pam Hardcastle's Bradford home and she was shocked to be asked to return home from work. A police helicopter picked up a hot spot on the roof of her garage and it was assumed it was a drug den.

Pam, a primary school learning mentor, said: "The officer said they wanted me to go home. He said my garage lit up when the police helicopter was out and they believed I could be growing cannabis.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

"He said they had a warrant and they wanted to search my premises.

"It was unbelievable. My mum told them I had guinea pigs in the garage and would have a heater in there to keep them warm.

"But they cut a bolt off my neighbour's gate to gain entry.

"My neighbours told me police were everywhere. Everybody was asking what I had done wrong. It is embarrassing."

The police took one look at the guinea pigs, then left.

West Yorkshire Police Inspector Darren Brown said: "I would like to apologise for the distress this may have caused.

"However, I would point out that these tactics are essential in tackling drugs across the district.