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35 drugs factories busted and 18 prosecutions in busy spell for Cambridgeshire police’s rural action crime team




Thirty-five drugs factories were dismantled by Cambridgehire’s rural action crime team (RCAT) over the spring and summer.

The team attended 821 incidents, made 24 arrests, conducted eight warrants and achieved 18 prosecutions in the busy period.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Rural Action Crime Team had a busy spring / summer in 2020 (42491978)
Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Rural Action Crime Team had a busy spring / summer in 2020 (42491978)

They also recovered 37 items of stolen farm machinery, including plant and trailers, and 27 vehicles.

It is a striking record for the team of nine officers and staff, who work across Cambridgeshire all year round.

RCAT Sergeant Craig Flavell said: “We’ve had a very busy spring and summer and achieved some exceptional results, which are demonstrated in the statistics and show how committed the team is to tackling criminality within the rural communities.

“With the latest edition of drone capability and armed with a new fleet of vehicles we have spent 97 hours of operational drone flying, particularly helping combat acquisitive crime across the county.

“We have also been assisting and offering support to other departments during the Covid-19 crisis.”

Cannabis plants found at a Hardwick drugs factory
Cannabis plants found at a Hardwick drugs factory

Among the drugs factories uncovered this year was a huge cannabis farm at a Hardwick house , spread over several floors, with 580 cannabis plants worth about £487,000. Two men were jailed in June following the raid the previous month.

The current focus is hare coursing, with crime prevention action plans promised in the coming weeks.

In June, the team found a young hare stuffed in the seat pocket of a vehicle suspected of being used for hare coursing in East Cambridgeshire.

The team helps to combat theft, heritage crime, hunting, rural and wildlife crimes and works alongside partner agencies including the local and county councils, RSPCA, Environment Agency and Crown Prosecution Service.

Follow @CambsRuralCops on Twitter or search the hashtag #RCAT.


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Cambridgeshire police shocked by scale of drugs factory in Hardwick - 10 pictures

Young hare found stuffed in seat pocket of suspected hare coursing vehicle in Cambridgeshire



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