CRIMINALS running illegal cannabis factories in York and North Yorkshire face being arrested, having their businesses closed and their assets frozen.

The warning follows the launch yesterday of a major police crackdown which aims to disrupt hundreds of indoor cannabis factories nationally and break up the gangs who run them.

Operation Keymer is targeting properties being used to produce skunk - a potent form of cannabis - while improving police knowledge of the trade.

Police say skunk can contain higher quantities of the chemical THC than cannabis in herbal or resin form, making users more vulnerable to its negative effects.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "We are supporting the campaign and gathering intelligence. In particular, we are asking the public to look out for potential factories in their communities."

He appealed for people to alert the police of tell-tale signs. These may include the windows of a property being permanently covered, gardening equipment left outside, a pungent smell, and visits to a premises at unusual times of the day or night.

There may also be noise coming from the equipment in the premises such as a cooling fan.

North Yorkshire is one of 19 forces involved in the clampdown, but Mr Lidgate said the problem of cannabis factories in the area was "rare".

However, Allan Gibson, the Association Of Chief Police Officers' expert on cannabis cultivation, said cannabis cultivation was an increasing problem which must be nipped in the bud.

"Operation Keymer will see police closing cannabis factories, arresting those concerned and using the Proceeds Of Crimes Act to attack the criminal profits being made.

"Cannabis cultivation is seen by criminals as a low risk, high-profit industry. This operation will send out a clear message that cannabis production is a serious offence and offenders will be brought to justice.

"Not only is the money made from cannabis cultivation ploughed back into serious crime, but the bypassing of the electricity needed to run the factories causes risk of fire and electrocution and they have already caused several devastating fires."

He said about 60 per cent of cannabis found in the UK is skunk and that is mainly grown in the country rather than being imported. In the mid-1990s only 10 per cent of cannabis in the UK was skunk.

Cannabis cultivation is linked to organised crime networks, estimated to be making large profits with a small factory of 200 plants turning over £30,000 profit in three months.

  • If you believe there is a cannabis factory near you, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.