UNSUSPECTING neighbours were stunned when a cannabis factory was found by police in their quiet residential road.

When police raided the rented semi-detached house at 2 Sherwood Avenue in Woodford Green, they found that the electricity meter had been by-passed to steal heat and light for the 30 plants being grown there.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “You wouldn’t think you’d get that around here. I’m surprised because I haven’t heard anything or seen anything. You’d think you would maybe even be able to smell something, but I haven’t.

“After all it’s a nice quiet road, with lots of families, but maybe that’s why they decided to set it up here – they didn’t think they’d be caught.”

Sergeant Marion Kent, of the Roding Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) which led the raid, said: “Our actions have seriously disrupted the anti-social behaviour caused by this criminal activity, which impacts on the quality of life of so many people within the community.

“We want to encourage more people to come forward to the police with information to assist us in bringing these criminals to justice.”

No arrests have been made over the seizure which is estimated to have a value of £10,000.

Police have urged residents to be on the lookout for tell-tale signs of cannabis plants being grown in houses in their area.

These include an unusually low number of people coming or going from a property, excessive condensation on the windows, blacked out windows, lights left permanently on, large deliveries of electrical equipment, cabling, pumps, compost and plant pots.

Sgt Kent added: “Residents should be extra vigilant if living nearby rented properties, no matter what street or what kind of neighbourhood they are in.

“Rented properties are particularly vulnerable to this kind of activity, especially if landlords don’t know the people they are renting to.”

Anyone who is suspicious about a property should called Roding SNT on 8721 2565 or Redbridge Police on 0300 123 1212.