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Smashing glass, forcing entry and gathering evidence is all in a day’s work for Bromley police’s Borough Support Unit. Reporter VICKI FOSTER got in on the action.
AS MY alarm sounded at 4.30am I woke up with the excitement everyone feels when they are going on holiday, except I was not jumping on a plane, I was strapping myself into a police van instead.
I arrived at Beckenham police office in Albermarle Road at 5.30am, not knowing what to expect, but after sitting in on the brief I knew I was on my way to two potential cannabis factories.
The raids were all part of National Drugs Tackling Week, between June 8 and 12, a chance for the police to increase confidence and publicise the work they are doing.
I jumped into the van and got my video camera ready and while on my way to Woodside Avenue in Chislehurst, the adrenaline started to kick in.
Out of the van and walking down to the side of the house, a few of the officers prepared themselves to climb the fence and secure the back, while myself and the other officers scoured the front.
The all-clear was given and we went to the back of the house where the police were about to break down the door.
The sound of shattering glass is always loud, but at that time in the morning it seemed even louder.
As soon as the glass was smashed a few of the officers jumped through the door to find if anyone was inside.
The house was empty.
As I walked inside I could see a bright orange glowing light and a there was a strong smell.
We found approximately 300 cannabis plants, with a street value of about £10,000.
Three rooms were filled with cannabis plants, all at different stages of growth.
The house was untidy and did not look like it was lived in.
In each room the ceilings had been badly damaged with cables and holes all over them, the damage would probably cost thousands to repair.
Sergeant Philip Spaul, who was leading the operation, said the police believed the factory was being run by a Vietnamese gang.
Onto the second raid, Carlton Parade in Orpington.
The police sped out of the van and to the front door where everyone got into position.
After the glass was smashed everyone climbed through the gap to secure the property and again it was empty.
The flat was in the middle of being redecorated, but it was also obvious that something had gone on here.
There were pot marks on the floor, strange ceiling fixtures and other items, but none of this was enough to take any action.
- Following the raids, a 22-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with production of cannabis, abstracting electricity and criminal damage, all relating to Woodside Avenue, Chislehurst.
He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on June 10 and has been committed for sentence at Croydon Crown Court.
AS MY alarm sounded at 4.30am I woke up with the excitement everyone feels when they are going on holiday, except I was not jumping on a plane, I was strapping myself into a police van instead.
I arrived at Beckenham police office in Albermarle Road at 5.30am, not knowing what to expect, but after sitting in on the brief I knew I was on my way to two potential cannabis factories.
The raids were all part of National Drugs Tackling Week, between June 8 and 12, a chance for the police to increase confidence and publicise the work they are doing.
I jumped into the van and got my video camera ready and while on my way to Woodside Avenue in Chislehurst, the adrenaline started to kick in.
Out of the van and walking down to the side of the house, a few of the officers prepared themselves to climb the fence and secure the back, while myself and the other officers scoured the front.
The all-clear was given and we went to the back of the house where the police were about to break down the door.
The sound of shattering glass is always loud, but at that time in the morning it seemed even louder.
As soon as the glass was smashed a few of the officers jumped through the door to find if anyone was inside.
The house was empty.
As I walked inside I could see a bright orange glowing light and a there was a strong smell.
We found approximately 300 cannabis plants, with a street value of about £10,000.
Three rooms were filled with cannabis plants, all at different stages of growth.
The house was untidy and did not look like it was lived in.
In each room the ceilings had been badly damaged with cables and holes all over them, the damage would probably cost thousands to repair.
Sergeant Philip Spaul, who was leading the operation, said the police believed the factory was being run by a Vietnamese gang.
Onto the second raid, Carlton Parade in Orpington.
The police sped out of the van and to the front door where everyone got into position.
After the glass was smashed everyone climbed through the gap to secure the property and again it was empty.
The flat was in the middle of being redecorated, but it was also obvious that something had gone on here.
There were pot marks on the floor, strange ceiling fixtures and other items, but none of this was enough to take any action.
- Following the raids, a 22-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with production of cannabis, abstracting electricity and criminal damage, all relating to Woodside Avenue, Chislehurst.
He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on June 10 and has been committed for sentence at Croydon Crown Court.
