Police have raided an abandoned charity building allegedly being used as a cannabis farm.
Officers were called just before 5am yesterday (August 20) to reports of suspicious activity at the former Arethusa Venture Centre, in Lower Upnor.
They attended the site, formerly run by the Shaftesbury Young People charity, where a quantity of cannabis plants was found and seized.
It is not yet known how many plants were at the premises in Lower Upnor Road.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said she walks her dog around the area regularly and has never smelled anything or noticed any activity before.
Another added: “This is an ideal place for retirement and not the sort of area you would expect a cannabis farm.”
Officers remain at the scene this morning (August 21), and there are at least three police vehicles parked outside the building.
They have been handling large amounts of cannabis plants and breaking them into a bag, while the scene strongly smells of cannabis.
No arrests have been made, and inquiries are underway to identify those responsible.
It is understood the Arethusa Venture Centre closed around three years ago, and the site is now overgrown.
