A HOUSE in one of the town's newest suburbs has been used as a haven for growing cannabis.

Crime Scene investigators camped out in Torun Way, Haydon End, today following a raid at a semi-detached property.

Neighbours say police had the house surrounded as early as 4pm on Thursday and remained tight-lipped about the nature of the raid throughout.

Rui Simoes, 26, who lives two doors down from the raided house, said police used a battering ram to smash in the door, which had an extra padlock fastened to it.

He said: "I am gobsmacked, I never thought I would live next door to a cannabis production plant in a million years.

"I have been here three months myself and I have never seen anyone come in or out of that place.

"I know my other neighbours but I have never seen so much as a light on in that house. This is quite a new development and no one really speaks to one another."

Taxi driver Carl King, who filmed the plants being extricated, says he could not believe this was happening in his neighbourhood.

He said: "There has been a police car sat there the entire night and much of yesterday as well.

"A locksmith was there last night but it was so dark they had to use a torch. He obviously didn't have much luck in unlocking the door though, as they had to bash the thing in."

Det Insp Don Sterton said: "A number of addresses in Swindon were searched on Thursday evening as part of an operation into the supply of class A drugs.

"A number of people were arrested following searches. At one address a large quantity of cannabis and equipment for cultivation was found.

"This is another example where we take drug taking very seriously and it should be a warning to people that they never know when there are going to be police at their door."