Cuckooing
Cuckooing is a crime where offenders take over the home of a vulnerable person to use it as a base for organised criminal activity. This can include drug offences, sexual exploitation, weapons storage, or hiding stolen goods or money. Criminals might just use the property as a place to stay. The term comes from the cuckoo's practice of taking over another bird’s nest for its young.
There are several signs that may indicate that somebody is being targeted for cuckooing. This could include but is not limited to:
- Increased number of comings and goings at all hours of the day and night
- More cars or bikes outside - offenders will often have new vehicles outside the property, or frequently use taxis or hire cars
- Possible rise in anti-social behaviour in and around the property
- More litter outside, such as takeaway food containers
- Disengagement from support services/healthcare services
- Property appearing sparse of valuables and falling into disrepair
- Visible signs of drug use
- Often takes place in a multi-occupancy or social housing property.
Wigan Safeguarding Adults Board and the Community Safety Partnership have developed guidance to raise awareness of cuckooing and provide a framework for agencies when dealing with cases. The guidance promotes a consistent approach and ensures an effective multi-agency response that supports victims, while taking action to prevent, disrupt and reduce cuckooing in the borough.
County Lines
‘County lines’ is a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs. These dealers will use dedicated mobile phone lines, known as 'deal lines', to take orders from drug users. Heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine are the most common drugs being supplied and ordered. In most instances, the users or customers will live in a different area to where the dealers and networks are based, so drug runners are needed to transport the drugs and collect payment.
The National Crime Agency (external link) has more information about county lines and how to spot the signs that it’s happening, as well as how to report concerns.
The best advice is to trust your instincts. Even if someone isn't involved in county lines drug dealing, they may be being exploited in some other way, so it's always worth speaking out.
How to report
If you think you have spotted a drugs 'cuckoo' or if you're concerned about a drug related crime where you live, call Greater Manchester police on 101. Only call 999 in an emergency.
If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on Tel: 0800 555 111.