"The harm to neighbourhoods that is increasingly associated with illegal cultivation and trade in cannabis provides a challenge for law enforcement within the United Kingdom," said Mark Matthews, the new 'cannabis co-ordinator' and a former Chief Superintendent.

"The police service is responding to that challenge, with more raids on cannabis farms than we have seen previously and a tougher approach to policing cannabis on the street."

"We now want to step up action against the organised crime networks that are involved in the cannabis trade."

"Traditionally, law enforcement has focussed upon drug issues at the point of importation."

"Here we are seeing criminals producing drugs within our local neighbourhoods."

Matthews is keen to connect cannabis cultivation with organised crime.

"The same criminals are also very often engaged in other forms of illegal activity such as counterfeiting, tax evasion and people trafficking," he said.

He is also asking people to actively watch out for suspicious behaviour -- and report anything they find to the police.

"I would ask property rental companies, landlords and local residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious circumstances in confidence to their local police station or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111," Matthews said.

The appointment of Matthews has been enthusiastically welcomed by ministers.

"Mark will help to ensure that we have a consistently robust enforcement approach to tackling large scale cannabis cultivation and help to put away the organised criminal gangs who seek to profit from this illegal harmful activity," said Vernon Coaker, a junior Home Office minister and someone who has confessed to using cannabis in the past.

"I want those criminal gangs who are involved in supplying illegal drugs to experience the fact that the UK is a hostile place in which to do business."

"We will bring them to justice and seize their ill gotten gains."

"I know that Mark shares my ambition."

"Whilst cannabis use has fallen in recent years, we know that the market share of skunk has grown."

"Mark's appointment shows that we are not complacent against the scourge of any illegal drug."

"We will continue to bear down on drug dealers through tough enforcement; while providing education through information campaigns such as the FRANK website in order to warn our young people about the dangers of illegal drugs."