Leeds Rhinos given confiscated cannabis factory lights to help grass grow at stadium
West Yorkshire Police donated the powerful lamps for use at the club's Headingley stadium after seizing them from an illicit drugs farm in the city
West Yorkshire Police donated the powerful lamps for use at the club's Headingley stadium after seizing them from an illicit drugs farm in the city
Powerful lights used by crooks to grow cannabis are now helping the grass grow on the pitch of a top rugby league club.
Police have donated the specialist lights from a drug farm to help Leeds Rhinos bring their Headingley pitch back to life.
Police in the city confiscated about 500 plants and growing equipment, including the 50 lights which mimic the effects of the sun.
Instead of destroying them, officers handed them to the Super League club .
Rhinos officials have now set up a special lighting rig to grow grass on damaged sections of the pitch at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
PC Kevin Hussey , of the Leeds inner north west neighbourhood policing team, who had the idea, said: “We already have an excellent relationship with Leeds Rhinos and they have worked with us on a number of community initiatives with schools and young people over the years.
“When I found that we could donate equipment seized from cannabis farms to local groups, I discussed it with their head groundsman to see how we might be able to help them out.
“Previously we would have to pay to hire skips to dispose of all the equipment, but this way we can save money and see something that criminals have been using in the illegal drugs trade put to a positive use in the local community.”
Rhinos’ head groundsman Ryan Golding said the idea came from the ‘great relationship’ which the club has with the police through the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
He said: "The lights will certainly be put to good use, especially at this time of year.”
Unused soil and pots from the cannabis farm were also donated to Brudenell Primary School in Leeds for its community garden.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/leeds-rhinos-given-confiscated-cannabis-5075016 31/01/2015
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