CSI at Work
A Greater Manchester Police CSI (crime scene investigator) records evidence after the recent discovery of a cannabis farm in industrial premises.
Due to more stringent border controls, drug dealers have switched from importing cannabis to growing it in the UK with cannabis cultivation offences in Greater Manchester involving 10 or more plants increasing from 1,012 in 2010 to 1,180 last year, an increase of 16 per cent.
Over the same periods GMP has increased seizures of cannabis plants by 11 per cent and made 1,458 arrests for these offences in 2011 an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year.
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and was reclassified from a Class C to a Class B drug in 2009. Possession can lead to anything from an £80 on-the-spot to an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment. Dealing can lead to arrest and up to 14 years in prison.
Police want residents to look out for and report the tell-tale signs of properties being used for cannabis production in their neighbourhoods. These include windows being constantly covered from the inside, people visiting the property for short periods and at unusual times and no one actually living at the property.
There may also be gardening equipment and large quantities of compost stored in the rear of the premises, vents protruding from the roof or windows and a pungent odour in the vicinity.
About the work of CSIs
Crime scene investigators attend incidents across the Force’s area to collect evidence that may prove vital to an investigation. They undertake a wide range of tasks including examining crime scenes for fingerprints, taking photographs and collecting samples that may yield DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) evidence.
This painstaking and meticulous work involves high levels of skill and concentration but forensic evidence can be a vital aid to solving crime. CSIs can spend many hours or even days recovering evidence at the scenes of the most serious of crimes.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
CSI at Work
A Greater Manchester Police CSI (crime scene investigator) records evidence after the recent discovery of a cannabis farm in industrial premises.
Due to more stringent border controls, drug dealers have switched from importing cannabis to growing it in the UK with cannabis cultivation offences in Greater Manchester involving 10 or more plants increasing from 1,012 in 2010 to 1,180 last year, an increase of 16 per cent.
Over the same periods GMP has increased seizures of cannabis plants by 11 per cent and made 1,458 arrests for these offences in 2011 an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year.
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and was reclassified from a Class C to a Class B drug in 2009. Possession can lead to anything from an £80 on-the-spot to an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment. Dealing can lead to arrest and up to 14 years in prison.
Police want residents to look out for and report the tell-tale signs of properties being used for cannabis production in their neighbourhoods. These include windows being constantly covered from the inside, people visiting the property for short periods and at unusual times and no one actually living at the property.
There may also be gardening equipment and large quantities of compost stored in the rear of the premises, vents protruding from the roof or windows and a pungent odour in the vicinity.
About the work of CSIs
Crime scene investigators attend incidents across the Force’s area to collect evidence that may prove vital to an investigation. They undertake a wide range of tasks including examining crime scenes for fingerprints, taking photographs and collecting samples that may yield DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) evidence.
This painstaking and meticulous work involves high levels of skill and concentration but forensic evidence can be a vital aid to solving crime. CSIs can spend many hours or even days recovering evidence at the scenes of the most serious of crimes.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.