How are your SNT are tacking Cuckooing?

How are your SNT are tacking Cuckooing?

Over the coming weeks, Limehouse, Poplar and Lansbury wards will be collaborating with Project ADDER to tackle increasing concerns around anti-social behaviour and improve community safety.

What is Cuckooing?

Cuckooing is a term used to describe a form of exploitation where criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person and use it for criminal activity.

The term comes from the cuckoo bird, which lays its eggs in other birds' nests. Similarly, offenders "move into" someone else's home and take control of it.

How cuckooing happens?

Criminals often target people who may be:

Elderly
Living alone
Experiencing mental health issues
Suffering from substance misuse
Having learning difficulties
Socially isolated

The victim may be manipulated, threatened, coerced, or offered money, drugs, alcohol, or friendship in exchange for allowing access to their property.

What is the property used for?

Criminals may use the address to:

Store drugs, weapons, or stolen goods
Deal drugs, including county lines activity
Conduct fraud or other criminal enterprises
Host gatherings linked to anti-social behaviour (ASB)
Allow gang members or associates to stay there
Warning signs of cuckooing
An increase in visitors at unusual times of day or night.
The resident appearing withdrawn, fearful, or anxious.
Unexplained damage to the property.
Neighbours reporting noise, ASB, or suspected drug activity.
New individuals seemingly controlling access to the property.
The occupant no longer answering the door or engaging with support services.
Curtains permanently closed or unusual security measures.

Why it matters?
Cuckooing is often linked to:

Drug dealing and county lines exploitation
Serious violence
Safeguarding concerns
Community ASB issues

From a policing perspective, it is both a crime and a safeguarding issue. The victim may appear to be involved in offending but is often being exploited and requires protection and support.

What are you Safer Neighbourhood teams and Project ADDER doing?
Identifying vulnerable residents who may be at risk of exploitation through intelligence, patrols and information from the community.

Conducting welfare visits to residents where there are concerns that a property may be being used by criminals.

Working with housing providers, social services, mental health teams and support agencies to safeguard victims and help them regain control of their homes.

Targeting offenders involved in drug dealing, county lines activity and exploitation through enforcement and disruption tactics.

Responding to reports of ASB and drug-related activity that may indicate a cuckooed address.

We will utilise Community Protection Warnings, Community Protection Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders and Closure Notices to tackle this offending and provide support to victims.

What can you do?

We are encouraging residents to report concerns, helping police and partners identify victims earlier.