AROUND 400 cannabis plants in a "large" farm have been destroyed by police amid a police operation targetting drug crime.

Project Adder was launched earlier this year by the Home Office with the aim of tackling drug-related harm and reducing drug-related deaths in five key areas across the UK.

As one of those five areas, Hastings has benefited from a share of the £148 million investment in the scheme, which will run until March 31, 2023.

Since January, officers have arrested 33 people on suspicion of drugs supply, drugs possession or money laundering offences, and trafficking children for criminal exploitation.

A large cannabis farm was also discovered in the town, with four men arrested following its find.

Detective Superintendent Till Sanderson said: “Tackling drug-related harm is one of our key policing priorities in Hastings, and Project Adder is greatly supporting the work we already do in this area. While it is still early days, the results so far are extremely promising.

“We have been able to step up our efforts in offering support to drug users, as well as increasing capacity in neighbourhood enforcement teams and detectives to tackle the supply of drugs in the community.

“With such positive early results, we are confident that this project can make a real difference to the town, the lives of people currently dependent upon illicit drugs, and those exploited by drug dealers.”

The funding from Project Adder – which stands for Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery – has enabled police to carry out additional patrols and dedicated days of action in the Hastings district to identify and take action against any drug-related activity.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I’m pleased that this funding and new partnership approach to increasing recovery support and tackling drug offences is already having such a positive impact.

“Helping people with their addiction, stopping exploitation and arresting those responsible, helps to break the cycle of the criminal behaviour that fuels the drug economy.

“Working with an array of local agencies, we are able to make a real difference to the safety of our local communities and I look forward to hearing more of the successes of this project in the future.”

Those arrested so far include:

  • A 16-year-old boy was arrested after 76 wraps of Class A drugs were found in his underwear. A 28-year-old man from Hastings was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
  • Four men were arrested following the discovery of a large cannabis factory in Hastings. Around 400 plants and cultivation equipment were seized and destroyed by police.
  • A 23-year-old man from Hastings was arrested after being found in possession of around £900 worth of cannabis.
  • Two men from Hastings and a 16-year-old boy were arrested after plain-clothed police officers witnessed a suspected drugs deal in the town. Officers seized 54 wraps of Class A drugs and £350.
  • A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, officers seized cannabis and cocaine from his home address.
  • A 16-year-old girl from the Croydon area was arrested after police seized around 250 wraps of Class A drugs. A 43-year-old male was also arrested on suspicion of drugs supply and trafficking a child for the purpose of criminal exploitation.
  • A 33-year-old woman from Hastings was arrested after police seized 102 wraps of suspected Class A drugs.
  • A 16-year-old girl from Croydon, a 38-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man from Hastings were arrested by plain-clothed officers after they witnessed a suspected drugs deal. Around £400 of cash was seized in addition to suspected Class A and B drugs.