Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector John Zdrilic has called for more tip-offs from the residents of the Maitland community.

“Nobody knows your area better than you,” Inspector Zdrilic said.

“Before, we saw more drugs being imported. Now, we are seeing more production.

“In recent years there has been an increase in the number of drug labs across NSW, which includes our region.”

Inspector Zdrilic said small things such as glassware or a strange smell could be enough for police to investigate.

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He also reminded the public that crystal methamphetamine (ice) laboratories could be volatile and often had untrained people working with dangerous chemicals, making it paramount to report anything out of the ordinary. 

But it’s not only drug laboratories and marijuana growing that police want people to be on the lookout for.

Last week, a public tip-off ­regarding suspicious behaviour of an ­individual wandering around Ashtonfield led to an arrest.

Police attended the scene and found a man hiding in a house.

He was subsequently charged with breaking and entering.

“Even if you think it is nothing it could be helpful,” Inspector Zdrilic said. 

“If I get two calls about nothing, that makes it something.

“If I get no calls about nothing then it’s nothing.”

Suspicious behaviour can be reported to Maitland police station on 4934 0200 or to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, and it can be made anonymously.