Equipment seized from cannabis farms is being used by children to grow fruit and vegetables.



Hydroponics sets and lights confiscated during police raids, have been set up to help youngsters in Wirral cultivate a market garden.

The equipment has been donated by police to the Dig It project in Bromborough run by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

The project was started in April to help reduce anti-social behaviour.

The market garden is housed in a building close to Bromborough fire station and the produce is sold at farmers' markets.

It is all carefully supervised, they don't grow anything more dangerous than chillies
Insp Andy McKeown

Organisers hope to get planning permission for a polytunnel, which could also come from a cannabis farm raid.

The equipment seized by police targeting drugs crime is usually destroyed.

But Area Inspector Andy McKeown, from Merseyside Police, said there was no danger of youngsters growing drugs themselves.

He said: "It is all carefully supervised, and they don't grow anything more dangerous than chillies."

Dig It was set up following complaints by residents about anti-social behaviour, and complaints by youngsters about a lack of activities in the area.

BBC News

Original I have to give them that.