Man arrested after cannabis farm found in former church in Egremont

We have arrested a man after a cannabis farm was discovered at a former church in Egremont today (Friday 2 August).

Officers are in attendance at the former Manor Church Centre at the junction of Manor Road and Seabank Road where a large number of plants, many of them dead, are being recovered along with growing equipment. A white Ford transit van parked outside and found to contain growing equipment has also been seized.

A 34-year-old man, of no fixed address, has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and taken to a police station for questioning.

Detective Inspector Laura Lamping said: "I am sure the community in Egremont will share our shock and disgust that criminals would stoop so low as to grow illegal drugs in a former place of worship. 

"This discovery again goes to show that criminals have no respect for anything but the lining of their own pockets. 
 
"Those criminal groups involved in the growing of cannabis are often involved in other serious organised crime, and we know violent incidents including shootings have resulted when drug dealers are in dispute. 
 
"Our communities can help us stop these groups, who are only interested in making money, from turning houses, business premises and even churches into potential death traps. 
 
"Nobody wants to live or work next door to these places and we would ask that if you believe someone is using a property for this purpose, please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up."

Anyone with information about cannabis farms is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. If you have information on this cannabis farm, you can also call 101 quoting incident reference 19100425936 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.