THE COMMUNITY has been helping police win the war on drugs in the town and are now even playing a supporting role.

Police have praised a motorist who swerved to block an offender fleeing from a drugs raid in Elmina Road at around 7.15pm last Friday.

Following a tip-off about a cannabis factory from a local resident, police found around 200 plants, of varying maturity, inside the house as well as evidence that a number of plants had already been harvested.

A man fled from the address as officers attempted to raid the front of the house.

Several gave chase and were assisted when a passing driver used his car to block the suspect’s escape.

Before a full search could continue, police had to call Southern Electric as the electricity supply had been tampered with to such a degree that the cables were red hot and the plastic was melting, making the building unsafe.

Along with the plants officers also discovered specialist cultivation equipment including an extensive air filtration system, hydroponic lights and sealed windows.

A 36-year-old man was arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis and was remanded to Swindon Magistrates’ Court, where he appeared on Saturday.

Town Centre Sergeant Paul Saunders said the factory had been up and running for some time and thanked the motorist for his part in the arrest.

He said: “Factories such as these can operate without the knowledge of even those living next door, but there will be signs which can indicate such activity.

“Properties that have blacked out windows, with little activity in terms of residents coming and going, unusual levels of heat.

“Other residents may even experience issues with their own electricity supply which may have been tapped into by those who have set up the factory.

“On this occasion we received relevant and credible information from the public which has led to the closure of a drugs factory and has helped avert the danger presented by the electricity supply, which was in a very dangerous condition.

“It is information such as this which we need in order to be able to tackle this issue. If you suspect it, report it and if it is able to be corroborated and can be acted on then we will make sure it is.

“Also the driver who used his vehicle to block the path of the offender – we are going to write to him and thank him.”

Anyone who has information they would like to share with the police, are asked to contact 0845 408 7000, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.