Cops check shut banks after drug farm find

POLICE have carried out a sweep of all closed down banks and building societies in the Macclesfield area to check they are not being used as drug farms.

- ALEX SCAPENS

Inspector Zoe Bowden said the searches were carried out following the discovery of a large cannabis factory in the former Halifax branch, on Chestergate, last month.

Over the past few year big names including Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland, Virgin Money and Barclays have all shut in the town as customers switch to internet or telephone banking.

And this is providing opportunities for well organised criminals to use abandoned premises.

The Halifax cannabis farm had operated for some time and 700 plants - along with heat lighting, fans and irrigation systems - were seized in a police raid on May 8.

A man appeared in court charged with cannabis production this week.