Police raided a cannabis factory in a flat above shops on Cheam High Street.

Officers arrested a 41-year-old man when they swooped on the property last Wednesday and seized the cannabis plants, believed to be worth about £10,000.

A police spokesman said the man, who was a tenant at the address, was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and was bailed to return to Sutton Police station.

He said during the operation police found the flat’s attic had been specifically partitioned into two distinct areas - one for seedlings and new plants and the other for keeping plants reaching maturity.

Sergeant Stuart Taylor-Bard said the raid was in response to information received from the local community and as the latest in a series of operations to crackdown on drugs related crime.

He said: “We welcome information from members of the local community and treat all such information seriously.

“We want to send out a clear message that we will deal robustly with anyone who breaks the law.

“Cheam is a low crime area and a safe place to live and we are determined to keep it that way.”

The operation was carried out by officers from Cheam Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) supported by officers from Sutton West SNT and Sutton’s Safer Transport Team.

The maximum sentence for cultivation of cannabis is 14 years in prison.