Police are asking residents to look out for signs of ‘cuckooing’ when someone moves into the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it for themselves, sometimes for drug dealing or drinking.
They will purposefully choose someone they can scare, bully or control and may physically or sexually or financially abuse them.
Signs to look out for:
a lot of different people visiting someone’s house
people calling at all times of the day and night or different cars pulling up outside
if the neighbour has not been seen for a while
signs of drug equipment or empty cans and bottles
increased litter outside or other anti-social behaviour
If you suspect a neighbour is being ‘cuckooed’ please report to Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324 or the police on 101.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
