Dr Laura Bainbridge’s campaigning results in major new cuckooing breakthrough
Cuckooing has become a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales, as the Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April.
Cuckooing, named after the nest‑stealing practices of wild cuckoos, is a highly predatory practice. It involves a form of criminal exploitation in which people are intimidated, coerced, conned or controlled into giving criminals access to their home, which is then used as a base for their activity. Such activity may include storing cash and weapons, sex work, dealing drugs, or financial abuse.
Dr Bainbridge is Chair of the Cuckooing Research and Prevention Network and has carried out extensive research into the devastating impact of “home takeovers”. She led a campaign for cuckooing to be included in this new legislation.
Dr Bainbridge says:
Cuckooing’s inclusion in the Crime and Policing Bill is a huge victory, not only because it acknowledges the serious and often sustained harm that can be inflicted during a home takeover, but also because it should promote a more consistent response to identifying and disrupting cuckooing across England and Wales.
“The Crime and Policing Bill brings cuckooing out of the shadows by formally recognising it in law as a form of exploitation, rather than treating it as a peripheral issue linked to anti-social behaviour or organised crime group activity.
Having campaigned for the introduction of this new legislation for several years, I am delighted that it has received Royal Assent, and hope that it will lead to a significant reduction in cuckooing that is occurring in our communities.
“Being invited by Home Office officials to contribute to writing the statutory guidance for this new offence was a privilege. Ultimately, legislation alone is not enough – how it is interpreted and applied will be crucial in determining whether ‘cuckooing’ victims are successfully identified and safeguarded.”
Cuckooing now carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Dr Bainbridge’s advocacy in this area is demonstrative of how School of Law staff can have major influence on law and policy.
More information
- Read more about Dr Bainbridge’s work on cuckooing and exploitation here.
- Discover Dr Bainbridge and her co-author Dr Amy Loughery's new book on cuckooing here.
- Dr Bainbridge is Co-Director of The Centre for Criminal Justice Studies and can be found on LinkedIn here.
