Data are collected centrally and at police force level on offences related to cannabis production, although no data are collected centrally which relate to the number of raids on cannabis factories. It is, therefore, not possible to provide a response to this question.
However, in 2007-08, in recognition of inconsistencies in definitions of the term ‘cannabis factory’ across police forces, a single definition was agreed and a baseline set for the number of operations against such enterprises. The agreed definition was any premises, whether commercial or residential, where the premises, or part therein, has been adapted to such an extent that normal usage would be inhibited and usually present within the premises, or part therein, are items solely concerned for the production of cannabis, i.e.
Hydroponics system
High intensity lighting
Ventilation/extractor fans
Any other affiliated equipment, and/or
Electricity meter bypassed (abstraction of electricity).
The total number of premises meeting this definition recorded in 2007-08 was 3,033. Results by police force are set out in the table. More recent data are not yet available and, as 2007-08 was the baseline year, it is not possible to provide data at a national level for the last three years.
Number Avon and Somerset 207 Bedfordshire 17 BTP 8 Cambridgeshire 112 Central Scotland 1 Cheshire 21 Cleveland 43 Cumbria 11 Derbyshire 53 Devon and Cornwall 19 Dorset 28 Dumfries and Galloway 0 Durham 7 Dyfed-Powys 41 Essex 68 Fife 1 Gloucestershire 4 GMP 227 Grampian 9 Gwent 42 Hampshire 37 Hertfordshire 70 Humberside 18 Kent 73 Lancashire 123 Leicestershire 75 Lincolnshire 49 Lothian and Borders 4 Merseyside 118 Met 289 Norfolk 44 North Wales 31 North Yorkshire 11 Northamptonshire 27 Northern Constabulary 0 Northumbria 38 Nottinghamshire 55 PSNI 4 South Wales 73 South Yorkshire 54 Staffordshire 51 Strathclyde 30 Suffolk 22 Surrey 12 Sussex 37 Tayside 7 Thames Valley 110 Warwickshire 48 West Mercia 18 West Midlands 203 West Yorkshire 368 Wiltshire 14