What Is Cuckooing and how to spot and report it

What Is Cuckooing and how to spot and report it

Dear All,

What is Cuckooing?

Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team is raising awareness of cuckooing, a form of exploitation where criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person and use it for illegal activities.

Who is at Risk?

Criminals often target people who: ✅ Live alone
✅ Are elderly
✅ Have mental health issues
✅ Have learning difficulties
✅ Misuse drugs or alcohol
✅ Are socially isolated

They may use threats, intimidation, manipulation, or offer money, drugs, alcohol, or friendship to gain access to a person's home.

Signs of Cuckooing

🔹 Lots of visitors at unusual times of day or night
🔹 Drug-related activity or anti-social behaviour around the address
🔹 The resident appears frightened, withdrawn, or anxious
🔹 New people regularly coming and going from the property
🔹 Damage to the property or unusual security measures
🔹 The occupant stops engaging with neighbours, housing providers, or support services

Why Does It Matter?

Cuckooing is often linked to: • Drug dealing and county lines activity
• Violence and exploitation
• Anti-social behaviour
• Safeguarding concerns for vulnerable residents

What Are We Doing?

Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team and Project ADDER are: ✔ Identifying vulnerable residents at risk
✔ Carrying out welfare visits
✔ Working with housing providers and partner agencies
✔ Targeting offenders involved in exploitation and drug-related crime
✔ Taking action against ASB and criminal activity

How Can You Help?

If you are concerned that someone may be a victim of cuckooing, please report it. Your information could help safeguard a vulnerable person and tackle criminal activity in our community.

📞 In an emergency, call 999.
📞 For non-emergencies, call 101 or report online via the Metropolitan Police website.

Together we can help protect vulnerable people and keep our neighbourhoods safe. #ProjectADDER #SaferNeighbourhoods #CommunitySafety #CuckooingAwareness