Three cannabis factories have been uncovered in police raids.

About 100 plants were found stashed in leafy Waverley Way, Carshalton, where property prices reach up to £400,000, during the swoop on Friday.

Between 30-50 plants were found at the other two addresses in Oliver Road, Sutton, and Peterborough Road, Carshalton.

A police spokesman said three men and three women have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

A neighbour at Waverley Way, who did not want to be named, said police arrived at the home and moved on to the other two addresses acting on information they collected at the scene.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector Colin Baker, of Sutton Police station, said: “Drug related crime will not be tolerated in our communities and we urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the police.

“If you report your suspicions we will respond quickly.”

The swoop follows a Sutton Guardian report last week which revealed that police were finding one large factory a month in the borough until September 2009, when the rate almost trebled and another 10 were discovered in the final months.

In total, Sutton police discovered thousands of plants in 2009 with a street value of millions of pounds.

A police spokesman said officers from Carshalton South Safer Neighbourhoods Team and response officers from ‘C’ Relief were involved in the latest raids.

All the properties involved were both privately owned and let premises.

He said: “On the back of this police urge landlords to make regular checks on their lettings.

“It is in landlords’ interests to make regular checks as significant damage can be caused to properties through these factories.

“Reisdents are asked to report comings and goings of occupiers at odd times of the day and night; curtains closed permanently to hide the blazing lights required to grow the plants; and sweet smells emanating from the property.”

If you are suspicious that a property could be a cannabis factory, call Sutton Police station on 0300 123 1212, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.