POLICE seized hundreds of cannabis plants in a raid on a house in Cutteslowe, Oxford, today.

The search was carried out at 8am at a house in Jackson Road, as part of the ongoing anti-drugs initiative Operation Falcon.

Police said in line with the operation's multi-agency approach, Oxford City Council's CANAcT were in attendance along with Southern Electric, who had to make the property safe as the mains had been illegally redirected to bypass the electricity meter.

Initial investigations show 200 - 300 mature cannabis plants and 50 immature plants were being cultivated in the house.

A woman in her twenties was arrested at the scene and is being questioned.

Oxford drugs co-ordinator Leigh Thompson said: "We estimate this house could have produced cannabis at street value of some £40,000 a year.

"And a further £12,000 a year in electricity was being bypassed in what was a dangerous and illegal set up that was a serious fire hazard."

Operation Falcon is a new way of fighting drug crime. It is a joint project by Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council, health and social services, and other support agencies, including CANAcT, the Crime and Nuisance Action Team.

Anyone with any information about this or any other incident can contact the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to speak to police and do not want to leave your name, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.