i wouldnt say UK cops are exactly lax, but if its a small personal grow they just take the plants and your grow gear..you will get a court summons, but if its a 1st offence,and a smal personal grow you'd get a slap on the wrist with conditional discharge..poss a fine, at worst maybe have to do community service sorta shit..but it would go on your record.
If its a repeat offence,or was a 'commercial' grow, you could well get a few months jailtime, fine etc.
But its not really worth the court costs and time to prosecute every home grower..
They make it very clear you will be watched, and theres every chance they could turn up at any time, to check you out.. so its best not to grow again, or atleast not at your home...go guerilla..
I called BS on this earlier in this thread, as the cops arent that stupid, and as i said, in the UK they can get a warrant in less than an hour, and dont stake out people unless theyre gathering court evidence, even then, it would be plain clothed cops,and they would hijack a neighbors house etc to use as a view point...
They do use the infared shit on the helicopters etc, but they dont use choppers for that sole purpose, but if theres a car chase in your area,and they happen to notice your house glowing like the north star, whilst all other around are not, OBVIOUSLY it will draw their attention to it...then they might check out your electric utilities bills for excess consumption..
This whole thread just stinks of some a lil suspect.
Sucks that the bay area cops are too eager to catch us , by whatever means they have at their disposal..and they have alot.