Police find cannabis plants while on poaching patrol at Burton Common

POLICE stumbled across a collection of cannabis plants while patrolling a local beauty spot.

Officers were with management from the Meyrick Estate checking poaching hotspots when they came across the plants on Burton Common, between Highcliffe and Bransgore.

They spotted five "clusters" of cannabis in individual growbags which were "clearly being cultivated", a spokesperson for Dorset Police said. The plants were destroyed.

It comes as officers have investigated criminals trespassing on farms to grow cannabis in Dorset, with drones helping to spot the drug.

A farmer who did not want to be identified told the Dorset Police rural crime team: "It started when we found the odd plant hidden away on the estate. Following the drone going up, we found dozens of cannabis plants hidden in rural locations.

"Fortunately we have upgraded our security systems and any trespassers acting suspiciously in the area will be reported to the police.

"We would like to add, this isn’t a victimless crime. Many children play and enjoy the outdoors in parts of the estate which benefit from public access and the last thing we want is for them not to feel safe or to come across drugs or those that grow them whilst out playing.”

To report drug-related crime phone 101.