Possible cuckooing victim in your area

Possible cuckooing victim in your area

Good Morning Resident

I am writing to you today, as we have identified that a victim of cuckooing may live in your locality.

Cuckooing is a term used to describe a practice where people take over another person's home and use the property to facilitate exploitation. It takes the name from cuckoos who take over the nest of other birds.

The most common form of cuckooing is where drug dealers take over a person's home and use it to store or distribute drugs.

The suspect may also be taking over the property as a place for them to live.

The victims of cuckooing are usually vulnerable, whether it is a drugs debt or a mental health condition, they are preyed on by the suspect without being able to identify they are a victim.

I would ask that you are aware of the signs of cuckooing, you may see someone when you are walking the dog or coming and going from work. You might not know the person involved, but you may have concerns about a new person moving into the area.

Please be aware of the signs of cuckooing.

an increase in people entering and leaving

an increase in cars or bikes outside

an increase in anti-social behaviour

increasing litter outside

people coming and going at strange times

damage to the door/the door propped open

unknown people pressing buzzers to gain access to the building

you haven't seen the person who lives there recently or, when you have, they have been anxious or distracted

If anything seems familiar with this behaviour, or you just have a concern, please reach out to us, anonymously, by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You will not be asked for your name, but you may really help someone in your community.

Kind Regards

Nathan

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Message Sent By
Nathan Stuart
(North Yorkshire Police, PCSO, North Yorkshire)