Police find cannabis farm at Ram's Head pub in Earlestown

Police received a report of suspicious behaviour at the former Ram's Head building on Earle Street in Earlestown yesterday, Wednesday.

Officers attended and inspected the building and found a large cannabis farm of 556 plants in various stages of growth, which were spread across 11 rooms.

A 27-year-old woman from Newton-le-Willows was arrested on suspicion of cannabis production.

She has been taken into custody for questioning by officers.

The premises has been made safe by the Cannabis Dismantling Team.

Matt Brown, head of Merseyside Police's Cannabis Dismantling Team, said: “This was a large-scale cannabis farm with the potential to produce large amounts of the drug for wider distribution.

"The risks of doing so, for residents and businesses nearby, are equally large, with fire, flood and violent crime often the result.

“Thanks to the report received, a female is in custody and a large amount of drugs have been prevented from being sold on our streets.

“We take action on all information received about drug production, supply and storage, so keep telling us what you know and we will keep the streets safer from the harm they cause.

"Be aware of some of the signs of cannabis growth, and we will do the rest.”

Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:

• Strange smells and sounds

• Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times

• Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting

• Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed

• Heat from an adjoining property

• Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather

• Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more suspicious

Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.