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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Hayden Smith

Police in England and Wales seize over 1,000 cannabis plants a day, study finds

More than 1,000 cannabis plants are seized every day in England and Wales, figures show.

Statistics analysed by insurer Direct Line for Business showed 366,841 plants were recovered by authorities in 2014/15.

Official data released in November showed there were 124,408 seizures of the class B drug in the year, down by 17 per cent on the previous year.

Direct Line for Business said West Midlands Police seized the highest number of plants with more than 54,700 in 2014/15. This was followed by Greater Manchester Police, with 41,569.

The Metropolitan Police recovered 38,369 plants. Britain's largest force had the highest overall number of cannabis seizures with 34,858.

On a regional level, the wider West Midlands area saw the highest tally of cannabis plants seized with nearly 70,000.

Nick Breton, head of Direct Line for Business, said: “For landlords, engaging in a tenancy agreement with a tenant always requires a certain amount of trust that they will not cause significant damage to the property.

“However, as this analysis shows, cannabis farming is still a big problem in England and Wales and can have severe repercussions for landlords.”

Cannabis plants seized by region in 2014/15

West Midlands 69,803

Wales 29,204

East Midlands 42,972

North East 21,183

North West 48,503

Yorkshire and the Humber 32,445

East of England 35,565

London 38,369

South West 19,358

South East 26,702

PA

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