What is cuckooing:

“Cuckooing” describes when criminals use violence and coercion to occupy someone’s property. The property is then used to prepare, store, and sell drugs.

The term cuckooing comes from when cuckoo birds take over the nest of other birds.

Who is at risk of cuckooing:

Anyone can be the victim of cuckooing, but criminals will most often target those they perceive to be vulnerable. This includes:

• The elderly, with poor health, a physical disability or cognitive impairment
• Someone with a learning disability
• Someone with a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment
• Someone with mental health needs, including dementia or a personality disorder
• Someone suffering with a long-term illness/condition
• Someone who misuses substances or alcohol
• Someone struggling with financial hardship.

Signs of cuckooing:

• An increase in people coming and going from the property, including late or through the night.
• An increase in anti-social behaviour at the property.
• An increase in cars or bikes outside the property.
• Communal doors being damaged or left propped open.
• The normal occupant or tenant not being seen recently or as often and when you have seen them, they seem distracted or anxious.
• Signs of drug use at the property.

How NPH can help:

NPH will support tenants who become the victim of cuckooing to safeguard them and the surrounding community from harm. We will also work with partner agencies such as the police and local authority to ensure offenders are dealt with.

If cuckooing is suspected but our tenants are instead found to be willingly involved in criminality, NPH will take appropriate tenancy enforcement.