Flintshire North Police team call on residents to help combat ‘cuckooing’

Flintshire North Neighbourhood Policing Team is calling on residents to help combat ‘cuckooing,’ a sinister method employed by urban drug gangs to exploit vulnerable adults and children.

‘Cuckooing’ involves criminals taking over the home of a vulnerable person to use as a base for criminal activities such as drug dealing.

Victims of ‘cuckooing’ often include drug users, older people, those with mental or physical health problems and those living in poverty.

Initially, gang members may befriend the adult at risk, offering something of interest such as a relationship, friendship, drugs, alcohol, money, or clothing.

In exchange, they may ask to ‘borrow’ a room, store something, or meet other ‘friends’ at the property.

Gradually, the ‘benefits’ reduce, and more people come and go from the address.

The gang members may threaten the adult at risk verbally or physically if they try to stop the criminal activity and discourage family, friends, and support workers from visiting.

Criminals running County Lines often set up a base in rural areas or small towns, taking over the homes of vulnerable people, and using adults and children as runners for drugs.

Crimestoppers warns that urban drug gangs “do not care about the suffering or damage they inflict on people’s lives.

They recruit vulnerable adults and children to act as couriers to move drugs and cash to suburban or rural areas.

However, the community has the power to stop the drug gangs.

Flintshire Police are urging residents to contact Crimestoppers anonymously online or by phone to report any associated concerns about exploitation of children or adults, including names of individuals involved, addresses, car registration numbers, mobile phone numbers, and types of drugs involved.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they live.” Crimestoppers states.

By reporting suspicions and concerns, the public can play a crucial role in helping the police protect the community and those most at risk.

For more information on County Lines and how to report ‘cuckooing,’ visit https://orlo.uk/bfSW6 and https://orlo.uk/lYTof.