[420 Girl]

CANNABIS farmers in North Somerset are being targeted by thermal imaging technology.

A GBP50,000 donation from energy company Western Power from Avon and Somerset Constabulary means that officers are using the latest equipment to nab weed growers. The new gadgetry will be used to locate hydroponics factories used for cultivating the drug, sometimes known as 'skunk'.

The company hopes to reduce the revenue lost by illegal and unsafe electricity connections used by the growers to produce 'hot house' conditions. Assistant chief constable Jackie Roberts this week met with Western Power chief executive Robert Symons to secure the sponsorship deal.

She said: "This is not the first time we have used thermal imaging to detect cultivation equipment in an attempt to cut the growth of cannabis factories.

"However, this new equipment will give us flexibility to identify more premises at a local level using covert tactics.

"This sponsorship deal will no doubt reassure communities that police are continuing the drive to crack down on drug related crime in order to improve quality of life for residents and bring offenders to justice."

Mr Symons said: "We are pleased to support the police in this fight against cannabis production which has a number of negative social consequences."

The sponsorship deal coincides with National Tackling Drugs Week which is aimed at raising awareness of the work being undertaken by police and partner agencies to tackle drugs and reduce drug related crime. This week suspected drug dealers have been arrested and drugs have been taken off the streets in a series of warrants executed across the area.

Police said the investment in the new crime fighting equipment will build on the success of work carried out by neighbourhood policing teams, which have worked closely with local communities to identify suspected drug dealers.

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