What is cuckooing

🚨 What Is “Cuckooing” – And How to Get Help 🚨

Cuckooing is a form of exploitation where criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person and use it for illegal activities, such as dealing drugs, storing weapons, or hiding from police.

This can happen to anyone, but offenders often target people who are:

Living alone

Elderly

Experiencing mental or physical health challenges

Affected by substance misuse

In financial difficulty

⚠️ Warning Signs of Cuckooing

You may be experiencing cuckooing if:

People you don’t know are coming and going at all hours

You feel pressured, threatened, or afraid in your own home

Your phone is taken or monitored

You are told not to speak to neighbours, family, or police

Your home is being used for things you don’t agree with

This is not your fault. Cuckooing is a crime.

🛑 What You Can Do

If you are in immediate danger, call 999

Report concerns to police via:

101 (non-emergency)

Online reporting through your local police website

Speak to a trusted person (family member, support worker, housing officer)

If you live in social housing, contact your housing provider

Police and partner agencies can help you safely, confidentially, and without judgment.

👀 Concerned About Someone Else?

If you suspect cuckooing is happening:

Report it to police (you can do this anonymously)

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Trust your instincts – reporting could protect someone from serious harm

💙 Help Is Available

Cuckooing is a form of criminal exploitation. Victims are treated as victims, not offenders.

📞 In danger now? Call 999

📞 Non-emergency: 101

🌐 Report online via your local police website

Please share – awareness saves lives.