A teenager was arrested after police officers shut down a suspected drugs factory and seized more than 250 cannabis plants.

Officers swooped on an address in Wittering Road, Lordshill, shortly before 7.30am on Monday after concerns were reported by neighbours.

Around 250 to 300 cannabis plants in different phases of growth were seized and a 17-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating a Class B drug.

Police officers were seen carrying at least seven full, large bin bags of suspected drugs from the property.

SSE also attended to make the property safe.

READ MORE: Police seen at house after 'smell of cannabis' reported

Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy issued a statement after the raid, committing to tackling the cultivation of drugs within residential areas.

Ch Insp Kennedy said: "Let me make it absolutely clear to the residents of Southampton, myself and my teams of officers will not tolerate the supply of drugs on the streets of Southampton nor will we tolerate the cultivation of drugs in our communities."

“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.

Police in Wittering Road, LordshillPolice in Wittering Road, Lordshill (Image: Ross Marshall)

"Operations like these – where they are set up 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 large quantities of plants is also really dangerous. It can prove to be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives in danger."

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Local residents had expressed previous suspicions about the Wittering Road property.

A resident of the road for 23 years told the Echo: “There had been some odd characters around the house, but I didn’t see the police turn up this morning.

"It's certainly not a shock - the people who were there very much kept to themselves."

Another resident of the road, who did not want to be named, said: "When the last family moved out, that’s when it all started.

"It seemed like the house was unoccupied but it’s just stunk of weed all the time.

"There was also a car abandoned on the drive for ages.

"I’m working from home so I didn’t see any of the vans turn up this morning but I’m glad that something has been done."