'Drugs factory found in attic'

A man was found in the attic, too.

Police responding to a call from a member of the public reporting what they thought was a burglary searched a first floor flat on Wednesday evening.

They found nothing in the flat but a police dog taking part in the search for the "burglars" barked to indicate that someone was in the attic. Forty mature cannabis plants together with equipment have been removed from the attic by police.

Bexhill commander, Inspector Simon Nelson, said: "At about 8 o'clock yesterday a member of the public phoned police stating that he believed persons were breaking into a flat at Colebrooke Road.

"Police officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Road Policing Team arrived in six minutes.

"They were also supported by a Dog Handler, PC Nick Baldwin-Charles.

"Police contained the flat while the dog conducted a search of all rooms. The dog was quick to indicate towards the attic and officers climbed up to find a male up there, standing among a large hydroponics factory. This comprised 40 mature plants, thought to be cannabis, grown using elaborate lighting and water filtration equipment.

"Local detectives DC Dawn Lister and Jon Stainsby continue to investigate, interviewing two men and the owner of the flat, arrested on suspicion of cultivating the plants.

"Further equipment was also seized from another address. The Local Support Team are assisting by removing the large amount of equipment still in the loft."

Though discovery of the drugs factory took police by surprise, Inspector Nelson said: "Good policing means you make your own luck."

He said the attic would have been checked as a matter of routine irrespective of whether a police dog had been part of the search.

Inspector Nelson said: "Because a member of the public took the time to call us, and the police units were quick to attend. we were able to make the most of this opportunity. We are spending more and more time searching for those who choose to transgress and Bexhill is becoming an increasingly unattractive place for them to live."

Two local men were helping police with inquiries. The female owner of the flat was released on bail.