Dr Alan Billings spent the morning with police officers in Rotherham on Wednesday, 21 September and got the opportunity to see them recover £20k of cannabis plants from a property In Eastwood.

It was a routine visit from the Police and Crime Commissioner.  He was in Rotherham to meet with officers and speak with them about current demands and areas of concern within the district.

The day started with the daily management meeting and ended with a drugs warrant that resulted in 20 cannabis plants being seized and £1k of cash recovered under the proceeds of crime act.  Dr Billings accompanied officers to the execution of a warrant and saw for himself the cannabis cultivation inside the property.

Dr Billings said: “Today was a planned visit aimed at giving me the opportunities to meet with officers and staff and accompany them in their work.  I met with officers from the Rotherham Crime Hub and heard about the issues they face and the work they do

“The Local Policing Teams Inspectors explained to me the importance of neighbouring teams and how key they are to picking up local intelligence.

“Then finally the Eastwood Team took me for a tour of the area, resulting in the execution of a warrant.  We found 20 cannabis plants in the bedroom of a home and a startled resident.  It was remarkable to see how the cultivation was heated and the lengths that people will go to earn an income from criminality.

“I would like to thank Rotherham District and all of the officers who have taken time to explain their work to me in detail.”

The visit to Rotherham was a planned visit and part of many that the Commissioner will be undertaking throughout South Yorkshire in the coming months. Each district has the opportunity to showcase the good work being carried out in each of their areas.

Police Sergeant Dave Baines said: “The Commissioner accompanied us on a pre-planned warrant at an address in Eastwood.  Intelligence was received that the occupant was growing cannabis.

“A search of the property resulted in 20 cannabis plants being recovered along with an estimated £1k in cash.

“A 35-year-old Algerian man has been arrested for production of cannabis and document and immigration offences.”