On Wednesday 25th September our Cuckooing team presented a film “Steven’s Story” to their colleagues, funders, partners and community leaders.
Catalyst Support delivers a specialist outreach programme to help the victims of cuckooing. Cuckooing sees criminals exploit vulnerable individuals to take over their home and use it for illegal activity. In Surrey, this issue is increasingly relevant, as county-lines move their operations into the suburbs.
‘Steven’s Story’ is a short film based on true events. The story starts with the main character, Steven, offering a homeless man ‘Scraps’ a place to stay in his apartment. Though originally friendly, Scraps starts to invite others round to Steven’s home, where they soon set up a drug operation. Steven is pressured into using drugs and is manipulated by the gang to work for them as they monopolise his home. Eventually, a neighbour recognises there is a problem and contacts the police who refer him to Catalyst Support. The film leaves on a positive note that since receiving help, Steven is five months clean, he’s got his home back and has found employment again.
Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend helps fund the Cuckooing service. Speaking at the event she highlighted the importance of raising awareness of Cuckooing. Lisa said that the film “really does bring home the awful truth of cuckooing… Imagine your home turning from a safe haven into a terrifying environment… Those who cuckoo others are predators”.
Much of Steven’s story is typical of a cuckooing case. Karen Jones leads the outreach programme at Catalyst Support. She said: “Of the 511 referrals we’ve received since the opening of the service in 2018, 85% came for individuals who have a history of drug or alcohol misuse. Whilst this may be the trait that makes people most susceptible, there are numerous vulnerabilities that mean people fall victim to cuckooing. 7% of people referred to us were over 70 years old, the oldest victim being 93, and the majority have received mental or physical health diagnoses that impact their wellbeing.”
Tatiana Gren-Jordan, Head of the Modern Slavery Policy Unit at The Centre of Social Justice, campaigns for stricter legislation around cuckooing. As of yet, cuckooing is not a standalone offence, meaning perpetrators can only be punished on associated offences. Tatiana explains “In March 2024, 1’284 cuckooed addresses were visited in one week of national intensive police enforcement action on ‘county lines’ drug dealing. This provided clear evidence that this issue is of national importance… In May, we came close to making cuckooing a punishable offence, but the calling of the general election halted progress in amending the necessary bill. We still need this change to be passed.”
Catalyst Support works with people who have fallen victim to cuckooing, but also with perpetrators and people who could be prone to exploitation. Karen Jones emphasises that help from the community can be pivotal in preventing cuckooing and lists some things to look out for in a behaviour of a vulnerable person: “They might start talking about a new friend who is helping them. They might become withdrawn or cancel home visits. Somebody else might start answering their phone. They might appear to be more financially unstable. Referrals have come from family members, doctors, neighbours, vicars and friends.”
Catalyst Support’s Cuckooing service is free-of-charge and open to referrals for individuals living in Surrey and, since August 2024, in Rushmoor and Hart.