What is ‘Cuckooing’ and how can you help?

This week the NN team have attended an online seminar discussing ‘Cuckooing’.  Cuckooing is a term used for organised criminal networks taking over the property of a vulnerable person to use as a base to deal drugs or facilitate different types of exploitation. The dealers will often coerce or threaten the vulnerable person into allowing them to take control of their home.

There are are few different types of cuckooing:

• Using the property to deal, store or take drugs
• Using the property to sex work
• Taking over the property as a place for them to live
• Taking over the property to financially abuse the tenant

The signs to look out for:

• Increased callers at a property
• Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
• Different accents at a property
• Increased antisocial behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
• Unfamiliar vehicles at the property
• Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods

As a community we often notice small changes in habits that our neighbours have. If you spot any of the above signs and have suspicions that cuckooing could be taking place at a property near you please DO NOT approach anyone you suspect is involved in any of the above behaviour. Please report it to the police on 101, or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If a person is in immediate danger, always call 999.