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PRESS RELEASE:


The UK National Problem Profile - Commercial Cultivation of Cannabis 2012 report
is available to download here.

Welcome

Aim of the conference:
To promote discussion between major stakeholders, looking at new and innovative ways to work in partnership, to help design out cannabis farms and to reduce the harm that they do to our communities.

All delegates attending the conference will gain:
An up-to-date appreciation of issues, problems, challenges and techniques, including

  • examples of National and International best practice
  • innovative technology for identification and location of facilities
  • techniques for disruption and dismantling
  • future strategies based on leading academic research.

    • Did you know that the electricity stolen to operate cannabis farms in the UK is estimated to be worth about £200 million? – this would provide free energy for every household in Newcastle upon Tyne for a whole year! That’s just one of the astonishing facts that arise out of the problems of cannabis farms in our communities. But, of course, that’s not the worst of it: more and more young people are entering drug treatment programmes because of their cannabis addiction. In addition, there are inherent dangers associated with the cannabis farms themselves. Plants are often grown in an extremely dangerous environment; with live electricity and noxious gasses the farms can be a deathtrap and a real fire menace. Neighbours of the farms are usually completely unaware of the dangers that lie next door.

    At this event we will be announcing the results of the 2011/12 UK ACPO police research into the scale of the problem in the UK, and considering the implications for the future. We will be hearing from our colleagues in the Netherlands of their experience with a successful pilot deployment of scratch and sniff cards, highlighting the public safety dangers of cannabis farms in terms of stolen energy and fire risks etc. We will also look at the harm reduction and community safety aspects of the problem, as well as examining new research and potential technological solutions from the perspective of the Fire Service, Crimestoppers and others.

    We have much to learn from each other, so please do come along to this conference – to contribute your views, opinions and most importantly your knowledge and ideas!

    Event Programme

    The event programme is available to download here.