Watch moment police raid cannabis den in Yorkshire as part of £4m seizures

This is the moment police raided a cannabis den in Doncaster - one of a string of raids which have seen nearly £4 milliion of drugs seized in the city.

Neighbourhood officers based in the centre of Doncaster have been protecting communities from harm by seizing almost £4m worth of cannabis since the start of the year.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Cannabis farms are usually found hidden inside every-day, unassuming homes and are often linked to organised crime gangs responsible for bringing an increased risk of violence and gun crime to local communities.

“Where there is a cannabis cultivation, there is a serious risk to people's safety, and Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Policing Team officers have been gathering intelligence to execute warrants and dismantle these dangerous set-ups.”

Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Lisa Bird said: "Cannabis farms are a serious hazard to public safety, with an immediate threat of fire due to electricity meters being bypassed in almost every single cannabis cultivation we encounter.

"The groups behind these farms steal power by running cables to overhead wires. Needless to say, this is highly dangerous and poses a real risk of fires, electrocutions and severe explosions, as well as the risk of power blackouts on streets."

"People could be living next door to this risk and that's why it's vital people are aware of the signs of cannabis production so they can report it to us and we can seek to take enforcement action.

"As well as fire risks and the increased threat of violence, there is also a modern slavery element with victims of human trafficking forced to work against their will and tend to the farms.

"They are vulnerable and exploited for financial gain, and therefore by exposing these farms we can also safeguard these individuals and steer them away from being involved in this criminality."

In the first six months of 2026, numerous raids were carried out at properties and buildings across the centre of Doncaster after intelligence gathering allowed officers to secure legal warrants under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

In total, nearly £4m worth of cannabis was seized from properties across Doncaster city centre and the surrounding area, with 15 people arrested and brought into custody.

Insp Bird added: "The notion that cannabis is a harmless drug is untrue and we've seen the threat posed by organised criminal gangs running these cannabis farms.

"Cannabis cultivation feeds an illegal market worth tens of millions of pounds and drives modern slavery and criminal exploitation, which is why we need the public's support and cooperation when it comes to dismantling these networks.