Preventing and Disrupting County Lines 'Cuckooing’ Victimisation

The Wicked Problem of Cuckooing

Cuckooing is a highly predatory practice named after the nest stealing practices of wild cuckoos. It is a form of criminal exploitation where people are conned, coerced, controlled, or intimidated into providing access to their home to criminals, who then use it as a base for their activity. Such activity may include sex work, storing cash and weapons, or dealing drugs. Perpetrators may also take over a property to financially abuse its occupier.

Victims are typically vulnerable and primary targets are those who are dependent on drugs and alcohol, those with learning difficulties, and those with disabilities or mental health issues. Some victims may receive benefits for their cooperation such as drugs or money, yet are likely to be subjected to serious threats, coercion, physical and psychological violence, and intimidation once perpetrators have gained access to their property.

Cuckooing undoubtedly presents a ‘wicked’ problem for operational policing.

Yet, while political and professional concern about the proliferation of cuckooing has increased in recent years in the UK, academic research dedicated to exploring, understanding and scrutinising this phenomenon remains in its infancy.

N8 Policing Research Partnership Study

In seeking to plug gaps in knowledge, the three overarching aims of this study were to:

• Investigate the mechanics of cuckooing targeting (including risk factors)
• Gain an insight into the lived experience of cuckooing victims and perpetrators

The data collection phase of the study commenced with a comprehensive search for academic, grey, journalistic and practice-based literature that discusses ‘cuckooing’. Subsequent fieldwork involved interviewing experts, victims and perpetrators of cuckooing.

Outputs from the study included:

• A summary report
• A menu of tactical options for local delivery groups
• Academic journal articles
• International conference presentations
• An edited collection titled: Understanding and Preventing ‘Cuckooing’ Victimisation: County Lines and Beyond. This book will be published by Routledge and will be available for pre-order in October 2025.

Cuckooing Research & Prevention Network

 

Cuckooing is a complex and evolving crime, and tackling it requires a multi-agency response that is designed to eliminate organised crime groups and target-harden potential victims. In seeking to facilitate the exchange of cuckooing knowledge and promising practice between stakeholders, the Cuckooing Research & Prevention Network has been established. Members span the academic, practitioner and policy-making spheres and the local, regional and national levels.

The Network is funded by Research England.

Join the Cuckooing Research & Prevention mailing list here.

Follow the Network on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/endcuckooing

Campaigning For Policy Change

Members of the Network have petitioned Parliament for the introduction of new legislation that would make cuckooing a specific criminal offence. Cuckooing clauses were inserted into the Criminal Justice Bill, however this Bill was abandoned due to a general election being called in 2024. In 2025, cuckooing was also included in the Crime and Policing Bill. While we welcome this development, it is apparent that changes could be made to the draft clauses to improve their clarity and to safeguard vulnerable people in their homes.

Our full written response to the legislation can be downloaded here.

Our full written response to the Crime and Policing Bill can be downloaded here.

A Positive Impact

We are eager to learn how the Network has made a positive difference to you, your organisation and/or your clients. Please complete this short form to provide us with feedback on the impact of our work.

Publications and outputs

The following resources have been designed to improve awareness of cuckooing victimisation, encourage professional and public curiosity, and improve reporting and intervention. If you have any comments or feedback on these resources, please do complete this short form.

Preventing & Disrupting Cuckooing Victimisation

Professional Toolkit DOWNLOAD HERE

This co-produced toolkit includes the following resources:

• Cuckooing Information Booklet for Professionals
• A Cuckooing Risk Identification Tool
• The Cuckooing Safeguarding Process
• The Cuckooing Safeguarding Process (West Yorkshire)
• Key Contacts (West Yorkshire)
• Know the Signs Poster (A4)
• Know the Signs Poster (A3)
• Leaflet - Public
• Leaflet - Professionals 
• Postcard
• A4 Folder

Cuckooing - Know the Signs (Poster - NHS Staff) DOWNLOAD HERE

Cuckooing - Know the Signs (Poster - Opticians and Audiologists) DOWNLOAD HERE

Cuckooing - Know the Signs (Poster - Fire and Rescue Workers) DOWNLOAD HERE

Cuckooing - Know the Signs (Poster – Utility Meter Readers) DOWNLOAD HERE

Cuckooing - Know the Signs (Poster – Housing Maintenance Staff) DOWNLOAD HERE

What is Cuckooing? – An Accessible Introduction (Animation)

 

Tackling Cuckooing – A Webinar

Tackling Cuckooing – A Webinar Hosted by the National County Lines Coordination Centre. Speakers include: Dr Laura Bainbridge; Dr Julie Rugg; Anne Rannard (NCLCC); Heather Ashby (Leeds City Council); and Louise Crowder (Stockport Homes)

 

Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test

Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test is a Virtual Reality (VR) experience that has been co-designed by cuckooing experts from the University of Leeds, Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, Horton Housing, and the National County Lines Coordination Centre. Filming and post-production activity was undertaken by Peel X.

This experience has been created to improve awareness of the 'warning signs' that may be identifiable when cuckooing victimisation is occurring, and is intended to be viewed by professionals who regularly enter vulnerable people's homes.

The film presents four different cuckooing scenarios that have been inspired by real-life cuckooing cases. Each of the scenarios feature a series of cuckooing 'warning signs' that are internal and external to the victim’s home – for example, attempts are made to prevent access to the address, and the resident presents as frightened and dazed.

Your task is to immerse yourself in the film, and to identify as many 'warning signs' as you can in your role as ‘visitor’.

The film lasts approximately 14 minutes.

VIEWER WARNING

The film is an immersive experience that contains strong/offensive language and scenes that indicate that abuse and violence may be occurring. Some viewers may find scenes distressing or triggering. The film is intended for professionals aged 18+ years, and viewer discretion is advised.

Ownership and Rights

The film is the exclusive property of the University of Leeds and is protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and all applicable UK and international copyright laws. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

Licence to Use

You are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to download and use the film titled Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test solely for professional educational purposes.

This licence does not permit:

• Public broadcast or commercial distribution
• Editing, altering, or creating derivative works
• Uploading to online platforms or social media
• Sub-licensing or sharing with third parties

View the Film

For an immersive experience, please download the film to a VR headset.

If you would like to download the film to a personal headset, please complete this form to access the download.

If you intend to view the film using a headset owned by a professional organisation and/or intend to provide access to the VR experience to others (eg in a workshop environment), please complete this form to access the download. Please note, if you are intending to provide access to others, all viewers must complete this information and consent form (attached) prior to watching the film on a VR headset.

Alternatively you can view the film on a computer or smartphone by completing this short form.

If the film looks pixelated, you will need to adjust your settings on YouTube. To do this, click on settings, select quality, and choose 2160s (4k).

Viewer Feedback

We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete a short survey about your experience of viewing Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test.

Associated Resources

The following resources have been produced to accompany the Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test VR experience.

1. A workshop training plan to accompany the film. DOWNLOAD HERE
2. An information and consent form for VR viewers. DOWNLOAD HERE
3. A feedback request leaflet. DOWNLOAD HERE
4. An overview of the four cuckooing scenarios that appear in the film. DOWNLOAD HERE
5. A list of ‘warning signs’ that feature in the film. DOWNLOAD HERE
6. An introductory e-learning resource about cuckooing.

If you have any questions or comments about the VR experience or the associated resources, please contact Dr Laura Bainbridge. 

Conferences

Cuckooing Research & Prevention Network Symposium 

24 July 2024, School of Law, University of Leeds

Read the symposium programme
Access a recording of the symposium here: https://mymedia.leeds.ac.uk/Mediasite/Play/08cb62e3ff0e42f295ec4bbc94cd27ed1d

Anne Rannard – The National County Lines Coordination Centre
Access the presentation slides

Darren Burton – The Role of The Housing Provider And The Importance of Effective Partnership Working When Investigating Cuckooing
Access the presentation slides

Dr Craig Barlow – The Complexity of Cuckooing
Access the presentation slides

Paul Davies - Preventing Cuckooing & Disrupting Organised Crime Group (B27)
Access the presentation slides

Niamh Cullen – Multiple Disadvantage and Cuckooing in Calderdale
Access the presentation slides

Dr Julie Rugg – Cuckooing and Criminality in the Private Rented Sector
Access the presentation slides

Preventing and Disrupting Cuckooing Victimisation Conference

30–31 January 2024, School of Law, University of Leeds

This two-day sold-out conference explored emerging and promising practice from across the UK that has been implemented to tackle cuckooing victimisation.

Read the conference programme
Read the conference summary report (coming soon)

Day 1

Christina Gabbitas, Children’s Book Author – Early Intervention
Watch the presentation 

Hayley Fox, Crime Intelligence Analyst, Lincolnshire Police – County Lines Cuckooing In Lincoln. A Risk Terrain Approach to Identifying Risk
Access the presentation slides

Anne Rannard, Protect Lead National County Lines Coordination Centre – Tackling Cuckooing
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Louise Crowder, Stockport Homes Group – Preventing Cuckooing and Exploitation
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Justine Adams, Sheffield Changing Futures Programme – Changing Futures: A Place-Based Programme's Approach to Cuckooing
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Amber Wilson and Jackie Blackburn, Basis Yorkshire – Supporting Female Victims of Cuckooing
Access the presentation slides

Gemma Gibbs, Crimestoppers – Crimestoppers: The Independent Charity Giving Everyone a Voice
Watch the presentation

Jennie Cox, Senior Local Area Coordinator, York – Local Area Coordination: Working Together To Mitigate the Impact of County Lines on Communities, Through Trusted Relationships

Day 2

Dr Laura Bainbridge and Dr Amy Loughery, University of Leeds – Understanding and Preventing Cuckooing Victimisation
Access the presentation slides

Andy Moore, MSB Solicitors  – Tackling Cuckooing in Social Housing
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Mark Ireland, Heather Ashby, James Allen, Mark Lund, and Adrian Tonge – Working Collaboratively to Tackle Cuckooing in West Yorkshire
Watch the presentation
Watch the presentation 
Watch the presentation 

Understanding and Preventing Cuckooing Victimisation Symposium

3 May 2023, School of Law, University of Leeds

Bringing together academics, police professionals, criminal justice practitioners and voluntary sector representatives, this one-day sold-out symposium explored the latest thinking and research evidence around 'cuckooing' victimisation. A core objective of the symposium was to share knowledge and experience of how ‘cuckooing’ can be prevented, both in relation to target-hardening potential victims and identifying ‘cuckooing’ perpetrators.

Read the symposium programme

Read the symposium summary report

Dr Laura Bainbridge – Welcome
Access the presentation slides

Dr Jack Spicer – An Introduction to Cuckooing: Some Thoughts on Understandings and Responses
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Professor Simon Harding – Competition, Exploitation and Cuckooing in County Lines
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Dr Rosemary Broad – Communities of Practice in Multi-Agency Responses to Cuckooing
Watch the presentation
Access the presentation slides

Detective Superintendent Fiona Gaffney – Cuckooing: The Police Response
Watch the presentation