‘Sophisticated cannabis enterprises’ run by gangs causing electricity outages in Doncaster say police

South Yorkshire Police in an update on operations in the city have said the production of cannabis in Doncaster is often a ‘sophisticated enterprise’.

They added the scale is sometimes so big that the supply of electricity in Hexthorpe and Balby has at times been interrupted due to the number of cannabis crops.

In data published spanning from May 2021 to April 2022, police have seized more than 2,400 cannabis plants, 18kg of cannabis, 350 wraps of Class A drugs, and £136,000 in cash.

By working with colleagues in UK Border Force, 10kg of ketamine and 5kg cannabis thatwas destined for the streets of Doncaster, was also intercepted by officers.

Latest figures from SYP show that from February to April this year, 80 offences relating to the supply of controlled drugs were recorded in the city.

Broken down, more than a quarter were in and around the city centre, and just under 20 per cent were in the Hexthorpe and Balby North ward.

These types of drug offences are said to be recorded as a result of ‘positive and proactive’ policing action, as opposed to a reactive call to report from a member of the public.

Tim Forber, Deputy Chief Constable at South Yorkshire Police, said: “In keeping with most large conurbations nationally, Doncaster experiences drug related issues.

“Much of this can be linked to Organised Crime Groups, who are involved in the supply of Class A and B controlled drugs across Doncaster, and in the production of cannabis.

“The latter is often a sophisticated enterprise, so much so that the supply ofelectricity in Hexthorpe and Balby has at times been interrupted due to the number of cannabis crops in those areas.

Tackling the production and supply of controlled drugs spans all policing the district’s teams, however the focus of efforts to disrupt sits predominantly with Operation Fortify and the three Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs).

“The NPTs also play a vital role in educational inputs within schools, intelligence development, reassurance patrols and the publication of the positive results outlined into the community through various mediums such as SYP Alerts, Facebook, Twitter, newsletters and at community engagement meetings.”