What is ‘cuckooing’?
Cuckooing happens when a drug dealer takes over a person’s home to use as a base for storing and dealing drugs. They will come across as friendly and helpful at first, but then they will bully their victim so they can control their property.
The people whose homes are targeted for cuckooing are often experiencing their own personal challenges, such as substance misuse, mental or physical health issues, financial hardship, or social isolation.
The dealers use these challenges to manipulate and control their victims.
What are the signs of cuckooing?
- People calling in at all times of day and night
- More people than normal going into someone’s house
- Different cars pulling up outside the home and not staying long
- People blocking access to doors and windows
- You haven’t seen your neighbour for a while.
If you think this is happening to you or a neighbour, report it to the police immediately and tell us about your concerns.
What we can do
- Support the police with their investigation and take our own proportionate actions, depending on the outcome of their investigation. This could lead to a warning or if appropriate, we will take legal action to gain possession of the property if the person renting is convicted of an offence
- Consider property changes that will make the home and shared communal areas feel safer, such as installing CCTV
- Provide temporary accommodation to people living at a home that has been cuckooed, and to neighbours who are affected by the crime, depending on the situation
- Offer help and support to any victims, including referrals to substance misuse treatment providers where appropriate.
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