POLICE have seized 280 plants after they raided a cannabis factory in Southampton.

The factory was found yesterday morning on Inkerman Road after a member of the public called the police to report a burglary.

Inside, they found around 280 plants - which they suspcted to be cannabis - at varying levels of growth.

Officers from the Southampton west neighbourhood policing team assisted in dismantling the factory yesterday.

Police remain on the scene today and SSE also attended to ensure that neighbouring properties were safe.

Police have shared images taken inside the factory which shows a number of plants lining the floors of the building as well as fans, lighting, and installation.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary said: "We know that local residents will think, it is just a bit of cannabis and that this is not a ‘big issue’, but we want to stress that any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm. 

"Large scale operations like cannabis factories – whether set up in abandoned buildings / warehouses or even in residential properties - are often run by organised crime gangs. 

"Those gangs are likely to engage in very serious violence involving weapons, such as firearms. 

"They may also take advantage of vulnerable people, exploiting them or making them work in servitude.

"The electrical requirement to grow the large quantity of plants that we have located, seized and destroyed from many of these factories is also really dangerous. It can prove to be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives in danger.

"We’re really keen to hear from people who suspect there is cannabis cultivation or drug related activity going on in their neighbourhood.

"Every call you make to us is logged and reviewed by our local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and helps us build up a bigger picture about what might be happening in your community.

"This allows us to take action and protect neighbourhoods from drug related harm caused by this criminality and anti-social behaviour associated with drugs activity.

"Anyone who has any information that might help our investigation is asked to call 101 quoting 44230182824."