A CANNABIS factory was uncovered by PCSOs out on routine patrol on their pedal bikes.

The police community support officers had been cycling around the Craylands estate, in Pitsea, when their suspicions were aroused.

A resident told them they had seen some lads jumping over a garden fence in Rochester Way at about midday on Friday.

They went to investigate and the police helicopter circled the estate to try to trace the suspects.

It led them to find a bedroom converted into a growing-room filled with harvested cannabis plants.

Specialists from EDF Energy were called to make sure the house was safe as the electrics inside the property appeared to have been tampered with as part of the cannabis-growing venture.

Three people were arrested by police on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

PCSO Darren Weeks, who patrols the Craylands estate, was one of the two officers involved.

He said: “We were all on patrol and one of our colleagues got contacted by a member of the public who said they’d seen a couple of males jumping over the fence at the back.

“I covered the back while officers knocked on the door. The door was answered and they saw the cannabis.

“If we hadn’t been out on patrol, this person would probably have ignored the fact that someone had jump over the fence and nothing would’ve happened.

“The bikes allow us to get to the further reaches of our beat. At the time I was down the other end dealing with a couple of truanting kids. I overheard this come in, so I came shooting over.”

l A 32-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, all from Basildon, have been released on bail until March 24 pending further enquiries.