Absentee landlords are being warned over an increase in the number of cannabis factories in properties being raided by the police.

According to South Wales Police, 36 cannabis factories have been raided and closed down in the first five months of this year, whereas in the first seven months of 2007 only 19 were found. Concern has been raised over the majority of raids occurring in rented properties. Landlords are being offered six months rent in advance, a deal which could be tempting for less experienced landlords, in the current climate of increasing numbers of homes standing empty.

PIN contacted the Home Office and was given some basic advice on what landlords should look out for – tampered electrical wiring, powerful lights being left on all day and night and blacked out windows. If landlords have any concerns regarding cannabis cultivation in their properties they should contact their local police force for advice.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “The Association of Chief Police Officers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency are working together to develop a coordinated, targeted and robust approach. Police however continue to take tough action against cannabis production with 114,202 cannabis seizures in 2005 alone.”