Hundreds of cannabis plants were seized  across Barnsley this week.

On Monday morning officers from the Tasking Team in Barnsley forced entry into a property on Wheatcrofts where they found 160 mature cannabis plants.

At the same time a property on Victoria Street was also raided and arrests were made at both locations.

The action being taken by the Tasking Team is part of the larger Operation Sceptre. The operation is national and sees that police forces across the country crackdown on knife crime and associated offences.

Tasking team Sergeant Steve Newton said: “The week of action focusses on knife crime, but the profit from cannabis cultivation funds serious and organised crime across South Yorkshire and the UK”

He also said : “Those involved in growing cannabis are often being exploited or have links to further criminal activity.”

Two arrests were made at the first two properties. Mark Bisewski, 33, at Victoria street and Armando Marko, 23, at Wheatcrofts who remains in custody.

Following this, a further three warrants were carried out at properties on Doncaster Road and Brinkman street.

On Tuesday at Doncaster road officers found 25 plants and a 42 year old man was arrested and has since been released under investigation. Following the warrant on Brinkman Street officers located over 200 plants from across three floors.

Sgt Newton is urging residents across the county to be aware of the signs that a property is being used for cannabis growth.

He said: “The signs to be aware of are; a heavy smell of cannabis, excessive condensation on windows, letterbox blocked, heavy use of odour eliminators, visitors at unusual hours; only staying for a short period of time and signs the property is not being lived in – bins not being put out, and the garden not being maintained.”

The Operation urge anyone who can provide information to do so via 101 or online or via Crimestoppers anonymously.