'Cuckooing' suspects arrested in city crackdown

Cuckooing involves county lines criminals taking over the properties of vulnerable people, such as those with substance addictions

Police are targeting criminals who take over the homes of vulnerable people in Bath to use them as bases for drug dealing and other crimes.

The practice, known as "cuckooing", involves individuals or gangs manipulating people to gain access to their properties.

A series of warrants have already been carried out in the city, with six arrests made so far.

Residents have been warned to look out for signs of cuckooing, including the victim not being seen by neighbours for a while.

Unfamiliar vehicles

Other signs included people staying in the property while the victim was out, unfamiliar people driving the victim's car or being driven by the victim, curtains or blinds being closed during daytime, and gardens becoming overgrown.

Police said neighbours might also notice an increase in unfamiliar vehicles, including bikes, mopeds, and expensive cars.

Other signs included groups of people congregating in front and back gardens, external doors being propped open, an increase in local crime, and an increase in litter outside of the property, including takeaway boxes and discarded drugs paraphernalia.

Common targets have been people with drug and alcohol addictions, financial problems, physical or mental health conditions, or learning difficulties.

Trapped

Neighbourhood police officers are visiting people they believe may be vulnerable to cuckooing in Bath.

Perpetrators of cuckooing often befriend their victims by offering free gifts, protection, or drugs, but these later come at a high price as an increasing number of people move into the victim's home.

Cuckooing often leads to the escalation of addiction for victims, and causes declines in their mental and physical health.

They are likely to find themselves trapped, with some abandoning their homes entirely and ended up living on the streets.

Insp Nash said: "The execution of several warrants in the city centre earlier this month by the Bath and North East Somerset Neighbourhood Policing Teams resulted in the recovery of a substantial quantity of drugs, weapons and equipment associated with drugs supply.

"We have so far made six arrests.

"Our investigations are continuing, but we are also working on other leads and people in our communities can help with that, by adding to what we know or suspect."