These signs could mean someone is in danger in their own home

Date Added: 08/03/2021

Raising awareness of 'cuckooing'
We are running a social media campaign this week to raise awareness of ‘cuckooing’. We hope this will help community members recognise the signs and report any suspicious behaviour to the Safer Communities and Partnership team.

Cuckooing is the term used to describe criminals, mainly drug dealers, taking advantage of a vulnerable person, using threats of violence and other methods to take over their home and using it as a base for criminal activity.

Spot the signs of cuckooing
Signs of cuckooing can include an increase in people outside or entering a property or people coming and going at strange times.

Other signs could include:

a change in the behaviour of the resident; they stop engaging with family, neighbours or support services, or appear anxious or distracted
damage to the front door
an increase in anti-social behaviour near the property
an increase in litter outside the property

To report concerns, email Central Bedfordshire Council’s Safer Communities and Partnership team at: [email protected]

You can also call Bedfordshire Police on 101 or report information online using their online reporting centre: www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report/

You can also report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.