Help protect people from exploitation, police urge

PC Becky Lawrence said officers were looking out for "possible indicators of exploitation"

Police say they are taking additional steps to protect vulnerable people in Plymouth from becoming victims of exploitation.

Devon and Cornwall Police said its neighbourhood team was taking "proactive action" in the Prince Rock area of the city.

PC Becky Lawrence said officers were looking out for "possible indicators of exploitation" including cuckooing.

The practice involves criminals taking over a household and using the property for exploitation purposes.

Warning signs

PC Lawrence said: "If we suspect a vulnerable person is being cuckooed, our officers begin the process of working with local partners to put relevant safeguarding support in place to protect them from being a victim.

"We have also been able to help victims install CCTV at their address as well as security systems and lighting."

Police advised the public to look out for warning signs of cuckooing, including an increase of visitors to a property at unsociable hours, suspicious vehicles outside an address, and unusual smells from a property.

Acting Ch Insp Dom Nicholls Nicholls added: "I'd like to encourage the local community to come forward and report anything that doesn't look quite right."