Cuckooing is a type of exploitation by criminal gangs. It involves befriending someone, then taking over their home and using it to deal drugs. The name comes from the cuckoo bird, which is known for laying its eggs in other birds’ nests.
This type of activity is closely linked to ‘county lines’ drug trafficking, where people are used to supply drugs from major cities to suburban, rural and coastal areas. In this case, the victim’s home becomes a base for developing operations in a new area.
People targeted are often unable to protect themselves from being exploited as they may be:
- People who use substances or people with a history of substance use.
- People with physical and/or mental health issues, neurodiversity or cognitive impairment.
- People who are socially isolated, for example by living alone or through age.
- Victims of Domestic abuse.
Perpetrators use a range of tactics to exploit others, such as:
- Offering drugs in exchange for use of the person's home
- Offering friendship
- Using force or threats of violence
How to spot the signs of cuckooing
Sometimes the person being exploited does not recognise this, or is simply too afraid to speak up. This can make it difficult for others to identify what’s going on.
If you are concerned that someone you know is a victim or potential victim of cuckooing, look out for the following warning signs:
- Frequent visitors and new housemates: guests at all
hours and/or unfamiliar people staying at the property - Vehicles: increased attendance of cars, bikes, scooters etc. for short perioods of time
- Deliveries: a number of iitems (e.g. TVs, bikes, takeaways) arriving at the property by various means
- Gaining entry: unknown persons having keys and/or pressing buzzers to gain access, communal doors being propped open
- Antisocial behaviour: groups congregating, noise,
- Drug signs: Unusual or increased signs of drug use- smells or drug paraphernalia
- Declining visits and Social isolation: fewer family, friends and/or social support visits and withdrawing from social activities
- Financial strain: Unusual or increased debt, reliant on foodbanks, lack of money
- Coercive control: being accompanied or controlled by a “friend”
Our Specialist outreach team provide:
- Experienced, assertive outreach workers who provide brief but intense support.
- Link in Multi agency support to connect people with services.
- Rapid response to support clients at immediate risk.
- Provide prevention advice and support.
- Help people build resilience to prevent future exploitation.
- Help prevent risk of property closures.
Our Specialist outreach team provide:
- Experienced, assertive outreach workers who provide brief but intense support.
- Link in Multi agency support to connect people with services.
- Rapid response to support clients at immediate risk.
- Provide prevention advice and support.
- Help people build resilience to prevent future exploitation.
- Help prevent risk of property closures.
