More than 400 cannabis farms have been uncovered in Bradford in just two years, police have revealed.

In a response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Telegraph & Argus, West Yorkshire Police said in 2011 alone 218 farms were exposed across the Bradford South and Airedale and North Bradford divisions.

From April 2010 to March 2012 a total of 418 cannabis farms were found.

It comes after a report by the Association of Chief Police Officers revealed more cannabis farms were found in West Yorkshire than in any other police force area in the country last year.

Police stressed the numbers included all scales of cannabis cultivation from two plants in a bedroom to extensive enterprises using entire buildings.

During the two-year period: l A takeaway boss was convicted in his absence at Bradford Crown Court in February, of running a £400,000 network of cannabis factories in West Yorkshire, including one in Heaton .

l A total of 500 suspected cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to £200,000 were uncovered by the Tong & Wyke Neighbourhood Policing Team in January, after they searched two addresses in Bradford and one in Gildersome, Leeds.

l Three people were arrested after Drugs with a street value of almost £30,000 were seized by police in Haworth in October, 2011.

A spokesman for the force said: “We are very pleased with the success we have had in identifying these crime operations and we will continue to work against them and continue to bring those involved with them to justice.

“Significant jail sentences have been handed out in recent years to some of those concerned.

“We are very grateful to local communities for the help they have provided in identifying buildings being used for cannabis cultivation.”

Work was also underway by the police and the Council as part of National Drugs Prevention Week last week.

It saw police seize suspected cannabis with a street value of more than £2,000 and £6,500 in cash at a house in Barkerend , on Tuesday.

On Friday a 23-year-old man was arrested after about 40 wraps of suspected cannabis were recovered when police searched a property in Hendford Drive, Pollard Park.

Councillor Imran Hussain , deputy leader of Bradford Council and holder of the Safer and Stronger Communities portfolio, said: “The police in Bradford have our full support in tackling the illegal growing of cannabis in the district. Drugs are a scourge on communities and cause damage to health and community life wherever they are.”

Jon Royle, chief executive of the Bradford based Bridge drugs charity, said many people who come to the project have had their lives ruined by taking cannabis.

“I do think in Bradford the police are very effective at attacking the supply of drugs but it is also a very big market. There are obviously thousands of people using these drugs and there is going to be an ongoing demand,” he said. “Many people come to Bridge whose lives have been ruined through taking cannabis and people running these farms are having a harmful effect on our communities.”

Using cannabis can lead to addiction, mental health problems, social isolation and paranoia, he said.

Police said cannabis factories can emit a strong smell and neighbours may hear noises while a factory is being set up. Curtains are likely to be kept closed, but bright lights may appear to be left on around the clock.

Anyone who suspects cannabis is being grown in their community is asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on (0800) 555111.