THE number of cannabis farms uncovered by the region’s police forces has more than tripled in just two years, new figures show.

According to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), 265 farms, or factories as they are also called, were discovered in the North-East and North Yorkshire in 2009- 10 – an increase of more than 200 per cent on the 87 found in 2007-8.

North Yorkshire Police saw one of the biggest increases in finds in the country.

The force uncovered 103 cannabis farms last year, compared to 11 two years ago.

Durham Police also saw a big rise – from seven in 2007-8 to 22 last year. Northumbria found 114 farms last year – up from 26 two years ago.

Cleveland was the only force in the region to see a decrease in farms found – from 43 to 26 in two years.

North Yorkshire Police said more information from the community had helped the force to uncover more farms.

The spokeswoman added: “The actual number of farms found is average in comparison with other areas.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Jane Spraggon, head of CID at Durham Police, said the number of farms found in the county was also comparatively small compared to other areas of the country.

She added: “We will continue to target those who seek to profit from this illegal activity.”

Nationally, nearly 20 commercial cannabis factories are being discovered every day.

In 2009-10, 6,886 farms were discovered – more than double the 3,032 discovered two years ago and more than eight times the annual average between 2004 and 2007.

More than 1.3 million plants worth an estimated £150m were recovered in the past two financial years, Acpo said.

Commander Allan Gibson, the Acpo lead on cannabis, said the findings came as no surprise and the rise was in part due to an increased focus on the issue by the authorities.

He said: “The police response is now stronger and more effective through better coordination and intelligence sharing between forces and other agencies and more covert operations against the operators.”

Police chiefs said the UK was producing so much cannabis that there was now a market for exportation.

But the report noted there was no intelligence or evidence to suggest that this was happening.