Residents in Hockley, Birmingham, are relieved after an abandoned care home that had been turned into a cannabis farm was finally sealed. The property on Clissold Street, near the large Tesco store, had been left derelict and taken over by squatters.
Joint Operation Secures Property
Officers from Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police secured the building on June 1. The operation followed numerous complaints from local residents about anti-social behaviour and the smell of cannabis.
Inside the Dilapidated Building
Footage taken by Councillor Shuranjeet Singh revealed extensive fire damage, piles of rubbish, and dangerously dilapidated conditions. Inside, floors were covered in filth, trash, and debris, with tents and disgusting mattresses strewn about. Ceilings had caved in, and dried cannabis plants, soil, and growing equipment were dumped around the building.
Councillor Singh said residents had complained about the 'constant going in and out and anti-social behaviour.' He added: 'There was the smell of weeds and there had been complaints about it for a while. I went inside during a walkabout with police on June 1 where they were sealing it. Hopefully now it will be put towards better use, something that can be a bit more reflective of what the local community want.'
