The crimes of cuckooing and county lines may not be something many of us have heard of before (unless you were a Line of Duty fan) but these are serious, targeted crimes that can impact children and vulnerable people.

We've gathered some information to help you spot the signs and what we can do to help, in case this could be happening to your neighbour or someone you know.

We'd always recommend reporting any concerns to the police first. If the person is in immediate danger then please call 999, or 101 in a non-emergency.

Serious and organised crimes take place when people plan, organise and commit serious offences, such as drug dealing, financial crime, human trafficking and other types of exploitation, including county lines.

County lines is where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another in the UK. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money, and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.

For more information, including how to report concerns anonymously, please visit Crimestoppers.

What is cuckooing

Cuckooing is when a drug dealer or gang takes over a vulnerable person's address for criminal purposes, usually as a site to supply, store or produce drugs from.

Cuckooing is often linked to county lines drug dealing where urban gangs travel to suburban areas to establish a base for drug dealing. As a result of these actions, those being cuckooed can suffer from abuse and exploitation. 

Victims are usually seen as vulnerable people and may have drug and/or alcohol addictions, physical and mental health issues and learning difficulties. 

Signs of a cuckooed home include

  • Unfamiliar people coming and going from the property at all hours.
  • Increase in people coming to the home or loitering in the area around the property.
  • Money or items being exchanged.
  • Takeaway deliveries at unusual hours.
  • Increase in noise and disturbance levels, including late-night parties or arguments or other signs of antisocial behaviour such as littering around the property.
  • Unusual or suspicious smells.
  • Damage to the property, such as broken windows or doors.
  • Blocking off windows and doors.
  • Threats or intimidation towards other residents or neighbours.
  • If you haven't seen your neighbour for a while.

If you have concerns that someone is being exploited, cuckooed or any other concerns relating to county lines or organised crime, you should report this to the police immediately and then contact us.

 

  • If you'd like to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
  • If there's a child, or adult with vulnerabilities at risk, you can contact your local social care team to report a safeguarding concerns or contact us and we can do this. 

We want you to feel safe in your home and we have dedicated Safeguarding & Domestic Abuse Coordinators and Communities Housing Officers to help us achieve this.  

We will:

  • Carry out home inspections, where safe to do so, to speak with potential victims of cuckooing.
  • Carry out high visibility work in the community, including door knocking exercises, to gather information from residents.
  • Work in partnership with our local police forces, safer neighbourhood teams, social care and serious organised crime units, to play our part in disrupting organised crime and to safeguard individuals who are being exploited.

While the activity at the home may present as antisocial or criminal behaviour, we also recognise that cuckooing is a safeguarding concern. (Future Link to Safeguarding – may need to update)