POLICE say they are uncovering the true extent of the illegal growing of Cannabis in Notts after a rise in tip-offs.
Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers began a campaign in Notts last week to try to get people to spot clues that could suggest the drug is being produced near them.
It follows a report last year which showed that, as of December 2011, Notts had the eighth highest number of cannabis farms raided in 54 UK police force areas since April that year.
And the report from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) shows that between April 2010 and April 2011, 200 farms were uncovered in Notts.
Inspector David Cain, a drugs crime specialist with Notts Police, said: "The amount of cannabis 'farms' we have raided over the last few years has increased due to the proactive nature of our policing and an increase in the intelligence we are receiving.
"Over the last few years, with the changes in classification, cannabis has been in the media more often, which has heightened the public awareness of the drug.
"This has led to an increase of reporting as people are more aware of what the drug smells and looks like."
Cannabis was downgraded by the Government to a class C drug in 2004, but regraded back up to class B in 2009.
The Crimestoppers campaign includes posting "scratch and sniff" cards through Notts letter boxes to help people develop a nose for the smell of growing cannabis.
It also warned of the drug's links with organised crime.
Mr Cain said: "The nature of the set-up of these cannabis 'farms' means that those involved are often organised criminals.
"They often work in groups to identify multiple addresses and go in and set up the equipment.
"Criminals often get involved because of the potential amount of money involved."
He added: "We are determined to combat this type of crime and therefore act on intelligence to raid cannabis cultivations – prosecuting those involved."
But one anti-youth crime campaigner told the Post he was worried about how easy it appeared to be for Notts teenagers to buy the drug.
Clayton Byfield, who ran a youth bus in Notts for the No Gun Organisation (NGO) until it ran out of funding a year ago, said: "Young people are definitely smoking more of it. People see it as not exactly the crime of the century – however, I see a lot of young lads driving around smoking it and I think it is responsible for a lot of road accidents and attitude.
"It is easily available."
Mr Cain added: "We specifically put money aside into a 'drugs fund' for proactive operations."
