Hi-tech Camera Used To Tackle Drugs In London

[Oldbillplod]

Met officers have this week executed two search warrants and arrested one man after utilising the latest hi-tech camera technology in their fight against drugs.

Over the last week officers from Haringey have been patrolling the borough with a unique thermal imaging camera that can accurately identify properties being used to cultivate cannabis. Being used for the first time within the Met police the hand-held camera is able to detect extreme heat emissions from houses.

Properties where cannabis is being grown will release up to ten times the amount of heat as an average family home.

Following their detection on camera two addresses in Haringey, one in Braemar Road and Roslyn Road, N15, were raided and a significant amount of cannabis and drugs paraphernalia seized by officers.

Sergeant Ian Pyles, who led the operation from St. Ann's Road Police Station, said:

"This latest technology has allowed us to quickly identify houses in Haringey which have been turned into cannabis factories. The equipment means we can covertly film a line of properties and identify the factory when the thermal image glows white-hot. In some cases so much heat is being emitted that the house will look as though it's ablaze.

"With one house crop of cannabis being worth in excess of £70,000 we have to work hard to put the growers out of business. Drugs in local communities can ruin lives and we are determined to improve the borough for the benefit of everyone."

Haringey's Borough Commander, Simon O'Brien, said:

"We work hard to make Haringey one of the safest London boroughs and will use all means to help us achieve that goal. This type of technology is the way forward for the Met and will ensure that we stay one step ahead of the criminals and drug dealers. The camera, supplied to the Met by Devon-based Frontline Products, is currently being piloted in Haringey and is due to be used for several future operations."