Cannabis farm found after police spot hole in roof

A cannabis factory was uncovered by police when they noticed a hole in the roof of the building just outside Doncaster.

About 900 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £800,000 were found in what police called a "sophisticated" set-up in the building in South Parade.

South Yorkshire Police officers had been responding to reports of a break-in at another address when they saw the damaged roof in the early hours of Monday.

Sgt Martin Maw said the scene posed a significant fire risk, as the electricity supply had been tampered with, bypassing the electricity meter both inside and outside the property.

He said: "Urgent repair works have had to be carried out on the roadside and exterior of the property, and the address has since been made safe following intervention by our officers.

"Cannabis factories like this one go far beyond the simple street deal and are more often than not linked to organised crime groups who are responsible for spreading violence, fear and terror in our local communities."

Three men were later arrested by Nottinghamshire Police in connection with the initial report of the break-in.

They were questioned on suspicion of aggravated burglary and released on bail pending further inquiries.

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