Weeding them out
Cracking down on illegal cannabis grows in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police have launched a major joint initiative to tackle illegal cannabis cultivation across the city.
This operation focuses on identifying and shutting down cannabis grows found in council-owned properties, privately rented homes, and vacant commercial buildings. These illegal activities pose serious risks to public safety, damage communities, and contribute to wider criminal networks.
Action will be taken against council tenants, private landlords and their tenants, and owners of commercial buildings where cannabis grows are discovered. Private landlords who knowingly allow illegal activity in their properties may face criminal prosecution, while council tenants involved will have their tenancies terminated.
To support this crackdown and encourage responsible property ownership, the council has introduced charges on long-term empty homes—up to a 300% premium—to help bring unused buildings back into safe and legal use.
In the coming months, council housing teams will carry out proactive inspections of high-risk properties, particularly those that are vacant.
Learn how to spot and report a cannabis grow: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/police-forces/staffordshire-police/areas/staffordshire-police/campaigns/2021/cannabis-farms/
Advice for landlords (private rented homes)
Report anti-social behaviour (ASB):
- Call the ASB Team on 01782 234234
- Complete the online form
- Email the ASB team
Report anonymously:
- Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Information on Empty Homes charges: www.stoke.gov.uk/emptyandsecondhomes