Officers from Staffordshire Police have uncovered two cannabis factories inside homes on the same Stoke-on-Trent estate.

On Saturday (17 May) police found a cannabis farm spanning three rooms inside a property on Smithyfield Road, in Norton, and a further twenty plants inside a property on St Nicholas Avenue.

A machete, "weapons", suspected cocaine and more than 100 cannabis plants were seized from the two properties.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council announced on Monday that it would be taking a "zero-tolerance" approach to cannabis growers in the city with private landlords facing legal action if they are aware of the plants growing in their properties. Similarly, council tenants could see their tenancies terminated if cannabis is found growing in their home.

Sergeant Marc Proctor, from the city proactive team, said: "We're determined to work closely with the city council to find those growing illegal drugs in Stoke-on-Trent and to take robust action.

"This type of crime often involves the exploitation of vulnerable people who are coerced into growing the drugs for serious criminal networks. They put people at risk, pose significant fire hazards to people living near them, and generate thousands of pounds for criminal gangs.

"These types of weapons and criminal networks have no place on our streets, and I can assure local communities that we will continue to target them across Staffordshire as proactively as possible."

Staffordshire Police says officers are working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to target cannabis grows in council properties, privately rented homes and empty commercial buildings to combat the negative impact the drug has on local people.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been approached for comment.