Two men were arrested after police found a cannabis factory in Cheam.

Police entered the property in Malden Road, Cheam at 12.30pm on Wednesday, April 25, and arrested two men as they tried to leave the property via the rear garden.

Officers discovered two to three ft plants nearing maturity in a back upstairs bedroom with four other rooms kitted out and ready for new plants to be brought in.

All five rooms had sophisticated heating and ventilation systems. Forensic examiners were on scene within the hour to gather evidence.

Police believe the house is privately owned but rented out. Officers have shut down the cannabis factory. All the plants and equipment have been seized.

The men, aged 43 and 48, were both arrested for producing a Class B drug - cannabis. The 48-year-old man was also arrested for possession of a knife.

Enquiries then led police to search another address in Fulham where a man in his early 20s was arrested for production of a Class B drug and possession of a Class A drug.

All three men have been bailed to return to Sutton Police Station in May pending further police enquiries.

The operation was carried out as part of Operation Hawk - a Met wide initiative to crack down on neighbourhood criminals.

CID, emergency response officers and community officers from Nonsuch and Worcester Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team were all involved.

Nonsuch SNT Sgt Bennetts said: "This is all about local officers responding to information from local communities to stop the activities of local criminals. This is a good result.

"We will be robust and relentless in our pursuit of local criminals including drugs related criminals."

He urged local residents to get in touch if they have any information that could help their investigation to contact Nonsuch SNT on 020 8721 2491 or Sutton Police station on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.