POLICE have arrested a man after discovering a £1 million cannabis farm by using a thermal camera.

The farm was found by officers in a property in Hall Royd, Shipley, yesterday, at around 4pm.

There were roughly 500 cannabis plants in the building, spread across two floors and six rooms.

It is estimated altogether they are worth more than £1 million in street value.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said a 33-year-old male, from Bradford, was arrested and remains in custody at this time.

Officers are still examining the premises and dismantling the farm.

Enquiries are ongoing.

The cannabis farm was initially discovered after PCSO Verdeyen scanned the property with a thermal imaging camera.

The building looked unoccupied, but the officer said it was "giving off lots of heat" and this piqued his interest.

Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) officers then swooped on the scene and helped gain entry into the property.

PCSO Verdeyen said on Twitter yesterday: "Big result for West Yorkshire Police Shipley today.

"I checked an 'unoccupied' property with my thermal camera giving off lots of heat.

"NPT officers assisted with entry and locating six rooms of cannabis plants.

"Estimated to be over £1m in value.

"One male located hiding inside."

The thermal imaging camera is being used as part of a pilot scheme in Shipley.

Inspector Craig Stothers, of Shipley NPT, said: “This is an excellent result for the team to uncover a significant cannabis farm.

“The teams have been using a thermal imaging camera which we are currently using as a pilot scheme in Shipley and it proved vital in this incident and helped the team remove over a £1 million worth of drugs from the streets of Shipley.

“Anyone who has any information about drugs or criminality in their area is urged to contact the police as any intelligence received is always investigated and can also prove vital.”