Police discovered hundreds of cannabis plants growing inside an industrial unit after being called out to what they thought was a burglary.

Officers arrived at the Globe Industrial Estate, in Rectory Road, Grays, overnight amid reports a unit had been broken into.

But after finding the building in question, the officers were amazed to find a large haul of cannabis plants growing inside.

Sgt James Bull, from the West LPA disruptor team, said: “My team have removed almost 200 cannabis plants and hydroponic equipment rendering the set up unusable.

“It will be very difficult for someone to continue to ply their trade without the plants they need.

“We don’t want drugs here in Grays, or anywhere in Essex for that matter.

“Essex should be a drug-free zone and as far as we can, the West Disruptor Team will work towards that by joining with our colleagues in the Town Centre Team and Crime Scene Investigators as we did last night.”

Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call us on 101 and quote incident 37 of June 1.