Crimestoppers launch marijuana scented scratch cards to crack down on cannabis farms in Scunthorpe district
Marijuana-scented scratch cards are to be posted to households across the Humberside Police force area in a bid to crack down on illegal cannabis farms.
Latest figures show that almost 300 cannabis farms were uncovered by officers in Humberside between 2010 and 2012.
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Marijuana-scented scratch cards are to be posted to homes by Humberside Police
Crimestoppers, which has set up the campaign, said the cards would help people to recognise the smell of cannabis and report suspected plantations to police.
Across the Uk there was a 15% rise in the number of cannabis farms found in homes between 2011 and 2012.
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According to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), about 1,800 cannabis farms were found in the area by officers between 2010 and 2012.
Humberside will be one of 13 force areas in which the cards are distributed.
Andy Bliss, from ACPO, said: "Many people don't realise that the empty, run-down house or flat on their street with people coming and going late at night may actually be a commercial cannabis farm.
"It's not just the stereotype of the remote rural set or disused industrial estate unit.
"These farms are often run by organised criminals [and] they bring crime and anti-social behaviour into local communities causing real harm and leaving people feeling unsafe."
The growing trend is now for people to cultivate cannabis plants in properties rather than larger industrial units.
The green and black cards, which are being distributed to 210,000 households, release a scent when scratched that replicates the smell of cannabis during its growing state.
Roger Critchell, director of operations at Crimestoppers, said: "We are distributing scratch and sniff cards because not many people know how to recognise the signs of cannabis cultivation happening in their neighbourhood.
"Many are also not familiar with the established links between this crime and serious organised crime."
8 Comments
by Bartoonian
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 10:21AM
“Scratch and spliff?”
by Bartoonian
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 10:18AM
“Scratch and spliff?”
by Bartoonian
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 10:18AM
“Scratch and spliff?”
by WeedLowersIQ
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:59AM
“Stoners will be a rollin 'n' smokin' the cards eh maaaannnnnnnnn ;-)”
by OwenRichards
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:26AM
“A misguided campaign. This will increase harms and drive the market further into the hands of organised crime. This will catch the grandmother growing a few plants for her arthritis or the MS sufferer who has been denied Sativex. Organised crime uses sophisticated ventilation and filtering to prevent a smell. Turn neighbour against neighbour. Terrible. There is already a massive backlash against Crimestoppers. A very, very bad mistake”
by Stixxx
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 11:28PM
“Surely the Infrared Camera on the police chopper should identify the main culprits? .... PS. Its the house with the bright orange roof!
;o)”
by TFiLive
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 5:31PM
“Scratch & Sniff Bull**** cards are also being distributed for people who can't recognise it when it's being wafted in their face.”
by seren000
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 1:15PM
“Where's Humberside? It doesn't exist anymore. Please use East Yorkshire or North Lincolnshire.”