DAY 73: Man arrested during warrant in South Oxfordshire

A 25 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug, theft and using electricity without authority.

Last Wednesday (29/1), Thames Valley Police and PANIU (Plant and Agriculture National Intelligence Unit) officers attended a yard in the Dry Sandford area of Abingdon.

Upon gaining entry, a large breeze block building was discovered and found to contain a large cannabis factory with approximately 40 full grown suspected cannabis plants along with cultivation equipment.

At the rear of the yard, several large shipping containers containing numerous power tools, a quad bike, compressors, lathes and cutting equipment which are suspected to be stolen.

These items have been seized and ongoing enquiries are being made by the investigating officers.

A tractor which is also believed to have been stolen was also recovered from the site. The tractor is believed to have been stolen on the 8 October 2013 from Chesham in Buckinghamshire.

Also discovered were three Ifor Williams trailers believed to have been stolen from the Metropolitan area back in 1999 and an Atlas Copco Compressor believed to have been stolen from Sussex in 2012.

The man who is from Dry Sandford in Abingdon has been released on bail until the 11 March.

Meanwhile in West Berkshire...

While the 100 days of action excitement continues in Chiltern and South Bucks, officers in West Berkshire have arrested and charged a man with criminal damage to property valued under £5000, possession of an air rifle when prohibited and receiving stolen goods.

The arrest came during a warrant which was executed yesterday (5/8) at 9.35am in Manor Lane in Oare, Hermitage, under section 26 of the Theft Act. During the warrant, several items were recovered including a carpet cleaner, a metal deer statue and power tools which are all believed to be stolen. 10 air rifles and four vehicles have also been seized.

The man in question, 38-year-old Stephen Banham of Manor Lane, Oare, Hermitage appeared at Reading Magistrates Court this morning (6/8) and has been remanded until the 19 August.

Supt Robin Rickard, LPA Commander for West Berkshire, had this to say about yesterday’s operation: “Significant police resources were deployed yesterday to conduct this warrant and I know that this would have caused some disruption and concern to the local community.

“I would like to reassure people living and working in the community that this is part of our effort to tackle rural crime and carrying out activity, such as executing search warrants, is an important tactic in reducing rural crime”