POLICE in west Dorset are appealing for farmers and landowners to help them continue their fight against illegal drugs.

Officers based in Bridport have carried out more than a dozen drugs raids at properties in the last eight months, and are now calling for farmers and landowners in rural communities to report suspected cannabis plantations to authorities.

PCSO Alex Bishop, from Beaminster neighbourhood policing team, said: “In the last few years there have been several cannabis plantations discovered on private land, in isolated areas off the beaten track.

“They range from small scale, a few plants, to larger scale of maybe dozens, even hundreds of plants.

“They can be hidden in places such as small coppices, gorse bushes or scattered around fields and within crops such as maize so as not to draw attention.

“It would appear that offenders are seeking isolated areas where the plantations are unlikely to be discovered. We would be grateful for any landowners, farmers, contractors or the like to be aware of such activity and regularly check these types of areas and report anything suspicious to Dorset Police on 101.”

Officers are continuing to fight drugs crime in Bridport and west Dorset as part of Operation Upkeep and have seized drugs and evicted some drug dealers from the area.

Bridport Police Inspector, Neil Wood, said: "We are working hard to combat drug production and dealing in Bridport and across the county.

"Drugs can blight a local community, from acquisitive low-level crime fuelled by drug addiction, to the pain experienced by those having lost a loved one due to drugs.

“Operation Upkeep is the local Bridport response to drug production, dealers and users. We work with other agencies and rely on the public for information. Over the last eight months we have executed in excess of 15 drug warrants locally which have resulted in the seizure of drugs, convictions and in some cases seen drug dealers evicted from houses.

“We will continue to target producers of illegal drugs to make it clear that drug dealing will not be tolerated in our community. I would like to thank the public for the continued support around drug activity and would ask that if anyone has any information or concerns to contact police or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Anyone with information about the illegal supply of drugs should call Dorset Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org