Police make arrest in St Mary's cannabis factory raid

Shortly after 8am, officers searched an address on St Mary Street, where they found 750 cannabis plants in various stages of growth.

A 24-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and was still in police custody yesterday afternoon.

Hampshire Constabulary remained at the property throughout the day while SSE maintenance workers attended to check the electrics were safe.

The energy company brought a van with digger in tow as the pavement outside was excavated. 

READ MORE: How it happened - arrest as large cannabis factory uncovered in police raid

A "footpath closed" sign was placed just past the turning to Clifford Street and SSE blocked the area off with barriers to protect the exposed concrete below.

One police car remained on site as the sun set to accompany the maintenance workers.

Police stayed on site to accompany the SSE workers. (Image: Newsquest) Hampshire Constabulary said in an official statement: "The electrical requirement to grow this many plants is also really dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties and lives in danger.

“We would also urge landlords to regularly check their properties, as dangerous alterations to electrics and the structure of a building are often made to grow cannabis, which can lead to significant costs for them.”

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Two students heading back to their university accommodation from the pub said that there have been police outside the building all day.”

“We’ve been walking up and down all day pretty much,” one said.

”There’s been at least some police every time we’ve walked past.”

The other student said it was 'so weird' to think the cannabis factory 'was so close' to their accommodation.

They said: "We never come down this road so for that to be so close to where we live is actually surprising.

"We're only ever in the area when we're walking to university so you never even think twice about stuff like this happening close to home."

SSE workers added more barriers as the sun went down. (Image: Newsquest) One St Mary Street resident, who wished to remain unnamed, lives opposite where SSE have been digging and 'didn't hear anything' during the raid but saw more police around after it happened.

They saw a few people at their windows looking over with their phones.

An Ascupart Street resident visiting the market square, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “I noticed a bit of commotion walking down earlier.”