Police step up investigations in Doncaster suburb plagued by drugs dens

At least four cannabis factories have been discovered in Spansyke Street in Hexthorpe in recent weeks, with residents describing the smell of the drug as ‘eye-watering.’

CRIME: Child arrests in South Yorkshire down by 77 per cent

There have been raids in a number of nearby streets and police officers have been carrying out door-to-door investigations in the area.

LATEST: Emergency services deployed to three-vehicle crash near Doncaster

Last week, people living in the street say that a high profile police swoop saw a number of houses in the area targeted.

CRIME: Widow is haunted by vision of husband's death after he was killed by a dangerous driver

One said: “There was an early morning swoop by police, knocking on doors in what appears to be an intelligence gathering operation to discover the cannabis growers.

“The street was filled with police methodically going door to door to speak to all residents. This is a very welcome sight to the fed up law abiding people of Hexthorpe.”

Earlier this month, residents said four cannabis dens had been discovered in the street.

Last week, 500 cannabis plants were also found at a property in nearby Kirk Street.

Workers from Northern Powergrid have also been spotted in the street and terminating electricity supplies following a number of complaints about power cuts in the area.

The discoveries came after the Free Press highlighted how residents in the road had been plunged into darkness on a number of occasions in recent weeks after power surges kept tripping out supplies.

A Northern Powergrid spokesman said: “We would encourage anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or our partners Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on freephone 0800 555 111 or fill in the simple and secure anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.”

Last month, Doncaster mum Zoe Fretwell, 25, who lives in Spansyke Street revealed how she and four-year-old daughter Autumn had been suffering power cuts on an almost daily basis for up to hours, for a number of weeks.

Residents believe that the four dens discovered so far are just the tip of the iceberg and believe more could still be operating.

Anyone with any information about drugs dens in any part of Doncaster can contact South Yorkshire Police on 101.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.