LANDLORDS who rent out homes and business premises in Kirklees have been urged to be on the lookout for dodgy tenants growing drugs.

The plea from police comes after cannabis plants were seized at two rented properties in Kirklees in recent days.

Almost 200 cannabis plants were found at a business premises in Batley with a further dozen discovered at a house in Dewsbury Moor.

A 58-year-old man has been charged with producing a Class C controlled drug in relation to the seizure at Dewsbury Moor and will appear at Dewsbury Magistrates Court next Tuesday.

Insp Ian Gayles from Kirklees North Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Both of these seizures are from rented properties and we would urge landlords to be on the lookout for any unusual activity.

"Cannabis plants are grown in brightly-lit houses and there is an unusual pungent smell in the immediate vicinity of the property.

"Occupiers are likely to be coming and going with electrical equipment, bags of compost and fertiliser.

"While compost and fertiliser would not be an unusual sight if they were being taken to a shed, garage or garden, questions should be asked if they are going through the front door.

"Tenants growing cannabis may also be reluctant to register utility bills in their own name and often run up high gas and electricity bills.

"Equally we would ask neighbours to be vigilant.

"Skunk cannabis can be a powerful and dangerous drug and is still illegal.

"Anyone cultivating or dealing cannabis can face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison."

He added: "We are working with local housing groups and where we have the intelligence we shall obtain and execute warrants under the Drugs Act to disrupt the illegal cultivation and production of cannabis."

Anyone with suspicions about cannabis cultivation should call the Dob in a Dealer hotline anonymously on 0800 555 111 or their local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 6060606.