Understanding and Preventing ‘Cuckooing’ Victimisation: editors reveal insights from their important new book

In this interview with Dr Laura Bainbridge and Dr Amy Loughery we learn about the inspiration behind their new edited volume, as well as what they believe is next for policy and practice in this area.

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.

In their new edited book, Dr Laura Bainbridge and Dr Amy Loughery tackle this issue from a multidisciplinary perspective.

What inspired you to create this edited volume on cuckooing victimisation?

This edited volume was inspired by growing concern about how cuckooing has been understood and responded to in policy, practice, and research. Despite increased attention through county lines discourse, some victim experiences have been marginalised or framed primarily through complicity narratives. Our research, alongside sustained engagement with practitioners and people with lived experience, highlighted a clear gap between frontline realities and the limited, fragmented academic literature on cuckooing victimisation. The book brings together multidisciplinary perspectives to advance conceptual understanding, re-centre victims, and support more nuanced, evidence-informed prevention and safeguarding responses.

How did you select the contributors and topics for each chapter?

Contributors were selected for their expertise in cuckooing, exploitation and vulnerability, bringing together academics and practitioners with direct frontline experience. Chapter topics were shaped by gaps in the existing literature and the need for multidisciplinary perspectives, including criminology, social policy, housing, disability and safeguarding. Emphasis was placed on victim experiences and on moving beyond a narrow county lines focus. Collectively, the chapters were designed to complement one another, offering conceptual development, empirical insight and practical relevance for policy and practice.

 

How can multi-agency collaboration be improved to better respond to cuckooing?

Multi-agency responses can be improved through shared definitions, clearer accountability, and consistent information-sharing across policing, housing, health and safeguarding. Embedding trauma-informed, victim-centred approaches and recognising cuckooing as exploitation – not solely criminality – would support earlier identification, coordinated intervention and more effective long-term prevention.

Do you believe cuckooing should be recognised as a distinct criminal offence?

Yes. Recognising cuckooing as a distinct offence would reflect its unique nature as a form of exploitation targeting vulnerable adults. It would clarify legal frameworks, improve reporting and recording, strengthen victim protection, and signal the seriousness of the harm, supporting both prevention and more effective prosecution of perpetrators.

 

What has been the most impactful moment for you during the research or writing process?

The most impactful moment was recognising how cuckooing is being identified by practitioners across sectors, yet responded to in fragmented ways. This disconnect between shared frontline knowledge and limited structural responses underscored the need for clearer conceptual frameworks and stronger, evidence-led coordination across policy and practice.

What’s next for your research or advocacy in this area?

Next, our research and advocacy will focus on deepening understanding of cuckooing beyond the UK, exploring international contexts and diverse vulnerable populations. We aim to develop practical tools for early identification, prevention, and victim support, including policy guidance, training resources, and evidence-based frameworks to strengthen multi-agency responses and safeguard those at risk.

• Find out more about Dr Laura Bainbridge and Dr Amy Loughery’s work on cuckooing here.