A TOTAL of 51 cannabis farms have been found in Bolton in the last three years – as police crack down on gangs exploiting vulnerable adults and children to cultivate drugs.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) figures reveal there were 16 cannabis farms discovered in the town from September 2019 to August this year.

Eighteen cannabis farms in the borough came to GMP's attention in the 12 months before then and 17 were found in 2017/18.

The ward with the highest number of cannabis farms found in the three-year period was Farnworth (10), followed by the town centre and Horwich (both with seven).

Earlier this month we reported that increasing numbers of illegal immigrants are being trafficked to Bolton by criminal gangs who use them to act as gardeners in cannabis farms.

They are lured to the UK from impoverished countries with the promise of work in the construction industry, many find the dream of being able to provide for their families ends behind prison bars.

And GMP is aware of how gangs are taking advantage of vulnerable adults and children to make their ill-gotten gains.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Pearson, of GMP's organised crime coordination unit, said: "Programme Challenger is a multi-partner approach to tackling serious organised crime in Greater Manchester.

"We have a dedicated team within GMP, who work alongside partner agencies to gather information and intelligence, and to accurately map organised crime groups, and their criminal activity, including the threats they pose to our local communities.

"Within the work of Programme Challenger, we continue to run operations to identify and disrupt drug dealing, and the exploitation of both vulnerable adults and children.

"Intel informs the work we carry out, and we continue to adapt our strategies based on the information we have, as we disrupt the criminal activity, prevent profits being further invested into serious crime, and protect those at risk.

“Protecting the vulnerable members of our communities is key, and as part of this work, we look to prevent those that have been subject to exploitation through a host of multiagency initiatives which also fall under Programme Challenger.

"The work ensures all victims of exploitation are supported throughout the whole process and beyond, and we will continue to bring perpetrators to justice."

Information from residents about anything suspicions they see or hear is vital to officers, police say.

Det Sgt Pearson said: "One of our most powerful weapons in the fight against drugs and exploitation is the information we receive from our communities; so if you suspect drug cultivation and supply in your area, or believe a child or vulnerable adult to be at risk criminal exploitation, then please contact police immediately.

"With the continued help of the public, we can eliminate illegal drugs from our streets and reduce the risk of vulnerable people being drawn into criminality.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage victims of criminal exploitation to come forward and report to us, and know you will be supported."

To make a report to the police, please call 101 or visit gmp.police.uk to use the force;s reporting facility, or use the LiveChat facility. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.