Council tenants could see their tenancies terminated if cannabis is found growing their home in Stoke-on-Trent under a new police crackdown.

Private landlords also face a 300% premium on homes which have been unoccupied for 10 years or more and empty houses will be subject to regular inspections as part of the operation. 

It comes after 21 cannabis grows were found across the city in the last three months as part of Staffordshire Police's Operation Levidrome. 

Cllr Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We are committed to tackling this issue – and it starts with the property owners.

"Criminal gangs are targeting empty buildings to set up dangerous grow which create fire risks and other hazards.

"We need to keep drugs out of our communities and out of the hands of children.

"We won't stand by while illegal activity threatens the safety of our residents.

"If you see, smell or hear something suspicious: grass a grow. Together we will weed them out."

The city council says for properties unoccupied for over a year, landlords would face a 100% premium and those unoccupied for five to ten years would face a 200%.

Stoke North Local Policing Team Inspector Victoria Ison said: "We're determined to continue working with our partners in the city to rid the area of organised crime, including the gangs responsible for cannabis cultivation. 

"We're acting proactively to identify, dismantle and disrupt cannabis grows in Stoke-on-Trent, and we welcome the city council's clampdown on tenancy rules to ensure that grows are more easily identified. 

"Working in partnership with the local authority helps us act strongly against those responsible for harm in local communities.

"By working together, we have arrested more than 260 people suspected of high-harm offences in the city under our Making Great Places initiative.

"Officers are continuing to act on the concerns of local people and businesses as robustly as possible in Stoke-on-Trent."

-------

READ: Acquisition plan for The Sugarmill in Hanley hopes to secure its long-term future

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook, X or Instagram.