Two men arrested after uncovering a cannabis farm in Reeth

The bodycam footage of the arrests and the officers' discovery of the cannabis farm was released as part of an ongoing operation to stop drug trafficking in the region.

The cannabis farm was uncovered when a local police officer, PC Heather Campbell, was on patrol in Reeth when a member of the public reported suspicious activity in a nearby barn.

PC Campbell went with another officer from the Neighbourhood Policing Team to the barn, which was rented out.

According to police, before entering the building, they noticed a strong smell of cannabis and the sound of whirring fans.

People in the community had also noticed that a car was often coming and going at unusual times of the day.

Inside, they discovered that the barn was divided into 18 smaller compartments.

They opened each compartment door and found a total of more than 100 cannabis plants, which were confiscated.

Two men, one in his 40s and the other in his 20s, both from east Leeds, were arrested.

Both men were taken into custody, where they remain at present. The crime scene has been secured for forensic investigation. A full investigation is underway and the vehicle they used has also been seized.

In another incident, Sergeant Chris Ross of the Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team found 160 cannabis plants in a rented house in Stokesley after concerns were raised about suspicious activity.

The plants have been confiscated and criminal investigations are underway.

Inspector Lauren Wilkinson, from the Richmondshire and Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These outstanding results underline the value of good, traditional, community-based policing.

“Because we are part of the community and have a good relationship with the public in this part of Yorkshire, we can respond quickly and decisively to community concerns.

“This has enabled us to remove a significant number of cannabis plants from circulation and arrest two suspects. And this is all thanks to our foot patrols and conversations with the public when we are out and about.”

Insp Wilkinson added: “We tend to think of drug production as an urban crime. North Yorkshire's rural geography and large agricultural buildings can make it a target for those growing large quantities of cannabis or producing other illicit substances.

“I would urge anyone with information about possible drug dealing to contact us, either via the reporting page on our website or by calling 101. Findings like this prove that we can and do act on this information. And we are always happy when people share their concerns with us.”