Spotting the warning signs of cuckooing: Dr Laura Bainbridge’s new virtual reality film

Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test is a Virtual Reality (VR) experience created to improve awareness of ‘warning signs’ of cuckooing victimisation.

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.

The warning signs of cuckooing victimisation

Behind Closed Doors: The Cuckooing Hazard Perception Test has been created in partnership with Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, Horton Housing, and the National County Lines Coordination Centre to improve awareness of the 'warning signs' that may be identifiable when cuckooing victimisation is occurring. It is intended to have a real-world impact through being 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 features 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.’

View the Film

To view the film on a VR headset or computer/phone, please apply via the research project’s webpage.

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

• Filming and post-production activity was undertaken by Peel X
• Lead image is by max-kegfire from Getty Images Pro.