'I was a prisoner in my home': Drug gangs 'cuckooing' hundreds of homes a week, police warn
Summary
Police in the UK say drug gangs take over hundreds of homes every week to store and sell drugs. This crime, called "cuckooing," often targets vulnerable people like the elderly or disabled, trapping them inside their own homes.Key Facts
- "Cuckooing" is when criminals move into someone’s home without permission to carry out drug activities.
- Vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, are often targeted by these gangs.
- London police recorded 1,539 cuckooing incidents between May 2025 and April 2026.
- Most victims in London were male (1,275 out of 1,539).
- Victims have faced abuse such as being forced to do humiliating acts or threatened with sharing videos online.
- Cuckooing will become a specific crime in UK law by the end of the year, with up to five years in prison as punishment.
- Police link cuckooing closely to "county lines," where dealers move drugs from cities to smaller towns.
- Victims often feel trapped at home and afraid to report the crime due to fear of violence from the gangs.
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