POLICE seized more than £1.5 million worth of cannabis across 22 raids last year in one area, according to new data.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have vowed to keep up the pressure on drug criminals in 2023 after seizing more than 1,500 cannabis plants in a series of raids in 2022.
One notable cannabis farm was discovered at an address in Sharpe Street, Heckmondwike, last November - with 169 plants removed.
There were 310 cannabis plants found at a grow in a property in Carlinghow Hill, Batley last February.
A total of 265 plants were also seized from another premises in December 2022.
Meanwhile, officers also recovered more than 100 cars, either reported as stolen or found on cloned plates and therefore linked to criminal activity in the same period.
Significant recent initiatives included multi-agency operations in the area in November as part of the national Road Safety Week.
Officers and partners working in Wilton Park, Batley and Batley town centre seized a number of cars, recovered two stolen vehicles, and made arrests for offences, including drug dealing.
Police have thanked those who continue to report criminal activity in their communities and said local intelligence can prove to be vital in helping them target drug activity.
Inspector David Bates of the Batley and Spen NPT, said: “Money created by the production of cannabis goes straight into the hands of organised criminals and funds the activity they carry out which causes misery in communities.
“Organised crime groups are routinely involved in offences such as trafficking, the exploitation of vulnerable people and the violent crime which police, partners and residents have been working so hard to reduce.
“Every time we close down a cannabis factory we are taking money out of criminals pockets and harming their operations, which can only be a good thing for us all.”
He added: “The support we have seen from residents in reporting suspected criminal activity in Batley and Spen has been fantastic over the past 12 months with community intelligence playing a role in a number of these significant seizures.
“Please can I ask that any information regarding drugs and other crime is passed through to ourselves so that we can continue to target criminal activity of any nature.
“Your help does make a difference.”
Anyone who has information about criminal activity in Heckmondwike can report it to Kirklees Police on 101, or using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website.
Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on: 0800 555 111.
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