Video shows Lancashire Police raiding a cannabis farm in Burnley town centre

The footage shows police vans making their way through the town centre to execute a search warrant at a derelict building in Bank Parade, opposite the Royal Mail delivery office.

Officers can be seen using a circular saw to cut through metal shutters to gain access, before uncovering a cannabis farm with around 170 plants.

Sgt Phil Ellis, from the Burnley Neighbourhood Policing Team, described the cannabis farm as a "sophisticated set up" and said the seized plants have an estimated street value of £120,000.

Two men – aged 21 and 22 and both of no fixed address – have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. They remain in custody this morning (November 19).

In the footage, the arrested men can be seen being placed in the back of police vehicles to be taken into custody.

As well as cannabis plants, officers also found assorted drug paraphernalia, including extractor fans and evidence that the electricity meter had been by-passed.

Police said there was also evidence of previous cannabis harvests and that people had been living and sleeping in the building.

Sgt Phil Ellis said: "This significant cannabis discovery and subsequent arrests came as a result of information from the public.

"I hope today’s activity shows that Lancashire Constabulary is committed to tackling organised criminal activity and acting on information and concerns that we receive from the public.

"We cannot disrupt these groups without the help of the public. Cannabis cultivation is a serious issue affecting the whole community."

Anyone with information is asked to email [email protected] or call 101, quoting log 0243 of October 17, 2020.

Alternatively, contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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