Welshpool Town Council wants to “put more pressure” on the owners of empty buildings in the town after recent police drug raids.

Dyfed Powys Police raided two properties in the town this week, seizing £450,000 worth of cannabis plants, and the topic was a key talking point as Welshpool Town Council's strategy committee met on Wednesday, September 4.

Cllr Morag Bailey told fellow councillors that a member of the public had approached her to ask what the town council would do in light of the raids on the empty Savers building in Broad Street, and the former County Times offices in nearby Puzzle Square.

Town mayor Cllr Phil Owen said: “Part of the problem is there are a number of premises in the town that have been left empty, unused and unsecure by the owners or business to which they now belong.

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“I’ve had discussions with the high street development officer from Powys County Council and think there may be a few things we can do to put pressure on those who allow those buildings to stand empty as that’s part of the problem.

“We’re a small market town but I think we’ve become a bit of a target and the fact we have those empty premises is part of the problem. There may not a great deal we can do about it but we can put pressure on the building’s owners to make them secure.”

Deputy mayor, Cllr David France, added: “I agree that this is a result of the wider issue of our high street struggling.

"I know it’s an issue our current MP cares about a lot, so hopefully there will be a lot of attention on it over the coming months and years. I hope we can try to fix the underlying issue, which is empty buildings.”

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed that approximately 580 cannabis plants were found in the two addresses that were raided earlier this week.

Cllr Chris Davies said: “The drugs issue throughout Welshpool has become quite a concern, as I understand that it’s not just a small drugs raid, it’s a very large one that’s happened at least three times. It’s becoming far more frequent.

“I think we need to get in touch with local authorities to see if there’s anything we can do to help out with the issue.”