POLICE discovered a large cannabis farm at a bar in Bradford, prompting a local councillor to raise concerns that the discovery was made at such a prominent location near the city centre

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "At around 1:30am on Monday morning officers whilst on patrol found the front doors to The Venue, on Ivegate, insecure and went inside to investigate.

"When they were inside the premises, they discovered a large cannabis farm and the electricity had been abstracted.

"A police cordon is currently in place to examine the scene and dismantle the cannabis farm."

Police enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

"It's concerning these illegal activities are taking place," said Bradford councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City). "But I have every confidence in police to continue investigating this incident and to bring those responsible to justice and hold them accountable for their actions."

Cllr Azam suggested that people carrying out these kind of activities during the pandemic could have a long-term impact on the local community.

He said; "People who carry out illegal activities are making the best of their opportunity to operate."

Cllr Azam said that discovery of the cannabis farm at such a prominent location near the city centre will have an affect on other local businesses and residents in the community living nearby.

"The aftermath of this will impact neighbouring properties.

"This will have a much larger impact than just someone trying to make quick money."

The Telegraph & Argus has reported on numerous cannabis farm discoveries in recent months, including raids in Little Horton, Thorpe Edge, Eccleshill, Shipley and Wibsey parts of the city.

During the Wibsey cannabis farm discovery in early January, police had to smash through a barricaded door to get into a house that had a "few distinct issues" and turned out to be a large cannabis farm.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) were out on patrol in the Wibsey ward when they noticed an address with "a few distinct issues".

The NPT called for specially trained officers to come to the scene and make entry into the property.

Their first attempt at getting through the door was hampered after the occupiers had "gone the extra step" and barricaded the front door.

The officers eventually smashed through into the house and discovered the property had been turned into a big cannabis farm.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said, there were a large quantity of plants inside the house, which have an estimated street value of £150,000.

One of the most high profile took place on the edge of the city centre in early December.

Police confirmed a "large-scale" cannabis farm was busted in a major operation. by armed officers, who swooped on a building, on Filey Street, off Leeds Road.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "A search warrant was executed by armed officers at a property on Filey Street.

"A large-scale cannabis farm was located at the scene and five men have been arrested in connection."