Dozens of cannabis plants have been seized from a property after a man was found trying to steal electricity for his factory.

Neighbours spotted a man digging near Reigate Road in Brighton in an attempt to abstract the electricity and divert it to his cannabis factory.

When confronted by the neighbours, the men ran from the area.

Officers attended soon afterwards, and more than 50 cannabis plants were found growing in the upstairs floors of the property.

There was also evidence that the downstairs area of the property was being equipped to cultivate more plants.

The plants were seized and destroyed.

Sussex Police Chief Inspector Karrie Bohanna said: “This was a significant operation where criminals were illegally abstracting electricity for use in the cultivation of cannabis.

“The criminals put their own safety and the safety of other residents in danger by doing so.

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“Fortunately we have seized the drugs which have been destroyed, and the area has been made safe.

“Our Specialist Enforcement Unit officers acted quickly upon intelligence supplied from members of the public.

“It demonstrates our determination to disrupt the supply of drugs which cause so much harm in our communities.”

Following the discovery on September 30 the area was made safe by UK Power Networks officials as Reigate Road was briefly closed.

Sussex Police also say that they found evidence of more of the downstairs property being equipped to cultivate more plants.