Cannabis crash course for ‘Watch’

At an information evening at Lagan Valley Island local police and the Lisburn Policing and Community Safety Partnership also briefed co-ordinators on a proposed ‘Cold Caller Zone’ in Lisburn and updated them on home security and the Lisburn Community Safety Network, which provides registered members with text or email information on suspicious vehicles and persons.

In an update on a new ‘scratch and sniff’ campaign to raise awareness of the signs of cannabis cultivation, scheme members were first advised of telltale signs, including a strong and sickly sweet smell, cannabis growing equipment being taken into a house, constantly covered or blocked-off windows, unsociable coming and going at all hours or neighbours you never see, strong and constant lighting day and night, high levels of heat and condensation, the constant buzz of ventilation and an excessive amount of cables.

Lisburn Area Commander, Chief Inspector John Wilson, said the event allowed police to provide information on a number of important issues.

“These included the worryingly growing number of private homes being used to cultivate cannabis,” he said, “and the telltale signs that members of the community should be aware of in helping spot such a property.

“Over coming weeks local police officers will be distributing `scratch and sniff` cards to the public to educate and inform them about the signs to spot and detect cannabis factories by recognising the specific smell of growing cannabis.

“The new cards contain an element that replicates the smell of cannabis in its growing state which is different smell to when it is being smoked and it is hoped this will enable members of the community to identify criminal activity either near their own homes or in the areas where they work.”

The cards are available on request from local Neighbourhood Police Officers.

The ‘Cold Caller Zone’ initiative, meanwhile, aims to support and provide reassurances to Neighbourhood Watch Schemes when faced with cold calling at their homes.

Residents were also provided with crime prevention advice to decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of burglary or bogus callers and Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators were updated on steps taken with regards to the Community Safety Network to increase the flow of information to be passed through to the local community.

Lisburn PCSP chairman, Councillor Brian Bloomfield, said: “By working together and looking out for one another local communities can effectively reduce their chances of becoming victims of crime. I look forward to working with the Scheme Co-ordinators and engaging with them at further events like this.”