A CANNABIS factory which may have been running for up to two years in a quiet Southend street has been discovered by police.

Officers were called just before 8.30am on Friday by a concerned member of the public who suspected drugs were being grown at the property in Waltham Crescent.

When police arrived, officers found the empty two-storey property had been converted on both floors into a sophisicated cannabis factory.

However, there were only three cannabis plants left inside.

One neighbour in the road, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s been a grow house since last summer.

“They were Vietnamese and gang related, I’m sure of it. They’ve been running this for at least 18 months.

“You never really knew if people were in the house or not most of the time, because it was so quiet.

“No one ever really spoke to them or saw them, but the whole street has been talking about it.”

“People couldn’t sleep because of the noise of the fans on all the time and the place was looped with electric wires.

“I only sleep during the day now because of the problems around here.

“Three police cars turned up and a load of electricity people with their hand held devices went in and out of the place.”

Another resident of the road said people on the street had heard rumours the house had been used as a cannabis factory, but never saw anyone enter or leave the property.

She said: “We never really knew who lived there, but occasionally saw someone cutting the grass out the front of the house.

“The blinds were always shut and we’ve smelt that smell for about 18 months, but when you live that close you never know who is behind it, so we never said anything beacause we were worried about repercussions.

"The police were here for a few hours at least and took what must have been some of the factory equipment away.

“There was only ever one window open at any time, but apart from the smell we didn’t really see anything suspicious.”

A police spokesperson confirmed three cannabis plants had been found in the converted house. He added: “The property has been made secure and anyone with information, or who has seen suspicious activity, is asked to call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anoymously on 0800 555111.