Busted: Sgt James Makepeace of Sussex police inspects an illegal cannabis plantation (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)

‘Scratch and sniff’ cannabis cards are being launched today as part of a campaign aiming to tackle the massive increase in illegal plantations springing up across the UK.

The Crimestoppers initiative features a card with a section that when rubbed smells sickly sweet.

The leaflet is designed to show non-cannabis users what the class B drug smells like but is harmless as there are no drugs infused into the paper.

Aroma: The cards that offer tips on how to spot a cannabis factory

(Picture: CrimeStoppers)

The card reads: ‘Cannabis farms grow more than just drugs. Is there one under your nose?’


The number of cannabis factories in the UK grew by 15 per cent between 2011 and 2012, figures show, with large and small scale cannabis growing reaching epidemic proportions in some counties.



Police found 1,400 cannabis cultivation properties in London alone between 2010 and 2012, while West Yorkshire is the UK’s illegal farm hot-spot with 1,800 sites identified in the same period.

The one million plants seized in the UK over the last two years alone have been valued at £200million.

Cultivation: The number of cannabis plants grew 15 per cent between 2011 and 2012 (Picture: Getty)

Energy theft is also a major problem with Ofgem estimating that £400million worth of power is illegally diverted to heat and light the farms.

‘Many people don’t realise that the empty, run down house or flat on their street with people coming and going late at night may be a commercial cannabis farm,’ said Andy Bliss of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Ofgem estimates £400million worth of power is illegally diverted to heat and light cannabis farms (Picture: Getty)

‘Closing down cannabis farms and arresting the criminals who run and organise them is a key focus in drugs policing.

‘That is because we recognise that these farms are often run by organised criminals but also because they bring crime and anti-social behaviour into communities.’

As a class B drug, supplying cannabis in the UK can lead to a 14-year prison sentence.

The new campaign says there are several giveaway signs if you suspect a cannabis farm is up and running near you, including constantly covered or blocked off windows, visitors at odd hours, strong and constant lighting day and night, high levels of heat and condensation and a constant buzz of ventilation equipment.

If you fear there is a cannabis farm near you call 0800 555 111 in confidence. Or go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org.