Cuckooing

What cuckooing is

Cuckooing is when people take over a person’s home and use the property to exploit them. The name comes from cuckoos, which take over the nests of other birds.

People may use a property in different ways, including:

• dealing, storing or taking drugs
• using the property for sex work
• taking over the property as a place to live
• taking over the property to financially abuse the tenant

The most common form of cuckooing is when drug dealers take over a person’s home and use it to store or distribute drugs.

How we respond to cuckooing

Properties in Swindon have been targeted by drug dealers operating county drug lines from larger cities such as London and Birmingham.

We work with Wiltshire Police and other support services to protect vulnerable people from cuckooing in Swindon.

Cases usually start when a neighbour or professional reports a concern about a vulnerable person. After a report, Wiltshire Police and the council carry out regular visits to properties affected by cuckooing.

We have a range of powers to remove the people who are exploiting someone and help keep the tenant safe. In more serious cases, we work with Wiltshire Police to get closure orders or injunctions for affected properties.

Closure orders restrict who can enter a property. Breaking a closure order is a criminal offence and can lead to imprisonment. This means police can arrest unwanted people found in a home with a closure order in place.

Signs of cuckooing

Signs that someone may be experiencing cuckooing include:

• more people entering and leaving the property
• more cars or bikes outside
• more anti-social behaviour
• more litter outside
• people coming and going at unusual times
• damage to the door or a door being propped open
• unknown people pressing buzzers to get into the building
• not seeing the person who lives there recently, or noticing that they seem anxious or distracted when you do see them

Report cuckooing

If you are worried that a neighbour or someone you know is being cuckooed, you can use our online form.

Report cuckooing online

You can also call Wiltshire Police on 101. In an emergency, call 999. We will keep your identity confidential where possible.