Wiltshire PCC calling on landlords to aid war on drugs in South West
The PCC's want to make the South West hostile to drug gangs
Police and Crime Commissioners across the South West are calling on landlords and housing agents to assist them in tackling cannabis cultivation in the region.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) warned landlords of rented properties that they will lose if illegal activity is found in their property.
The PCC's have also jointly sent a letter to national governing bodies asking for greater collaboration .
The letter also advises on signs of tenants and properties that could be involved in illegal activities.
Landlords warned as collaborative approach sought
With criminals targeting rented properties, the PCC warned that landlords would lose if illegal activities were found to be going on inside their properties.
"We are encouraging and we are engaging housing agencies and organisations and landlords in general, if they smell sea or hear anything that causes them to have suspicions that their properties are being used illegally."
Wiltshire Police have provided some advice on signs to look out for regarding potential involvement in criminal activity.
In the letter sent to the Governing bodies involved with landlords and home lettings, possible signs included:
• Asking for complete privacy - requesting no periodic inspections
• Blacked out windows and frequent visitors throughout the day and night
• Light source coming from a property even during the night.
Landlords suspecting criminal activity in their property are encouraged to contact the police or Crime stoppers to report their suspicions.
Tackling the issue beyond our own county
Mr Wilkinson stated that it's important to work with surrounding counties to tackle this problem, considering the crime gangs will be working across county lines.
And while Operation Scorpion has been successful, the PCC said there will always be more to do, even though they've had a serious debilitating effect.
"If you can tackle it not just in your own county, it makes resupply so much more difficult," he said.
"The organised crime gangs who organises activities, they will be trans-border and they'll all be linked.
"If we can get inside those networks and break the linkages then that's gonna make it very difficult for them to re-establish themselves."