One other major issue for Cambridgeshire has been the number of cannabis factories that have been disrupted in recent years. Commercial cannabis cultivation is an extremely lucrative business and substantial yields of cannabis can be grown in only a few weeks. Traditionally organised crime groups have used rented houses as a cover for growing cannabis.

They are ideal for this purpose but the operation in itself is an extremely hazardous one. It usually involves hacking into the mains electricity supply, from outside of the property, to power the high energy lighting required to grow the cannabis quickly. This action in itself is extremely dangerous and a high fire risk. However, it is also highly lucrative, with a yield of cannabis having a value of tens of thousands of pounds.

In the last five years (2004 - 2009) Cambridgeshire has discovered 344 cannabis factories across the county and arrested over 200 people. Cannabis with a commercial value running into millions of pounds has been seized and organised criminality has been seriously disrupted.

For more information about Cambridgeshire's policing priorities, see the Local Policing Plan 2009 - 2012.