Two cannabis farms were discovered by police after a series of violent incidents.

Officers in Preston carrying out enquiries into recent violent disorder in Plungington and Deepdale received intel that two properties were being used to grow cannabis.

On Tuesday, they executed two warrants and found more than 240 plants across two homes.

A spokesperson for the police said: "As part of our response to some recent violent incidents in the Plungington and Deepdale areas of Preston, on Tuesday we executed a drugs warrant at an address on Ribbleton Avenue.

"The property was in a poor state, the electricity had been bypassed and inside we found around 200 plants, as well as a drying room with some dried cannabis.

"After receiving a separate report of a man wearing a balaclava forcing his way into a house on Derby Square, we also found a smaller cannabis grow with around 40 plants.

"Again, the electricity had been bypassed and it was purely being used for the growth.

"Our enquiries are on-going to trace the people involved.

"We appreciate that some people don’t get to see the harm that cannabis causes and lots of people have a view about making it legal.

"The reality is that grows like this can make houses unsafe through faulty electrics, potentially putting people who live close by in danger.

"They are also often near to where families live with their children.

"Additionally, we know that what may seem ‘just a cannabis grow’ often has links to serious and organised crime, human trafficking and vulnerable people – including children - being forced to cultivate the growth against their will."

If you are concerned about this issue or drug dealing and the associated crime that comes with it in your area, please contact the police.

They are determined to tackle this so please feel free to call them on 101.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.