A QUANTITY of suspected cannabis has been seized by the police following a raid close to a primary school.

Police officers executed the warrant at an address in Holman Crescent, Lexden, Colchester, on Tuesday morning.

During the raid, near Prettygate Junior School, they found a “small amount of buds” believed to be cannabis.

No arrests were made during the incident and the suspected Class B drug is due to be tested for clarity.

Gazette: Raid - a police officer at the scene of the warrant in Holman CloseRaid - a police officer at the scene of the warrant in Holman Close (Image: Colchester Community Policing Team)

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Officers facilitated a warrant on Tuesday morning at an address in Holman Crescent in Colchester.

“During the warrant, an amount of suspected cannabis was located. Inquiries remain ongoing.”

The Colchester Community Policing Team stated the action was taken after officers were tipped off by residents following suspicious behaviour in the area.

Prettygate councillor Sue Lissimore praised the community for helping the police to keep drugs off the streets.

Gazette: Pleased - Prettygate councillor Sue Lissimore praised the police for acting on residents' concernsPleased - Prettygate councillor Sue Lissimore praised the police for acting on residents' concerns (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “When you see suspicious acts you never know what part of the puzzle that might be, so I would urge residents to report any suspicions immediately.

“They shouldn’t worry about how big or small they think it is.

“I would like to thank the police for acting on concerns reported to them from within the community.”

Ms Lissimore added: “Prettygate and Lexden have one of the lowest crime rates in the whole of Colchester.

“This is a safe area and police raids and crime in general is rare here.”

Gazette: Factory - a total of 500 cannabis plants worth more than £250,000 was found by the police last weekFactory - a total of 500 cannabis plants worth more than £250,000 was found by the police last week (Image: Colchester Community Policing Team)

A Freedom of Information request put to Essex Police by the Gazette revealed there were 14 cannabis farms found in the Colchester borough over the past three years.

However, following the publication of the figures, a £250,000 cannabis farm was found in Rowhedge Road, Colchester.

Officers were called to a property following reports of concern inside it.

When they arrived, they gained entry to the building and found a drugs factory growing more than 500 cannabis plants.

Sharing the find on social media, the Community Policing Team said: “These factories are dangerous and a significant fire risk and the running of them often involves exploiting vulnerable people by organised crime groups.”