Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to tackle the problem of "cuckooing".

Drug dealers taking over the properties of vulnerable adults to use as a base for dealing drugs, or ‘cuckooing’, is a known feature of ‘county lines’ model of drug dealing. Tackling county lines is a priority for this Government and our recently published Serious Violence Strategy sets out the wide range of action to tackle this issue, including raising awareness in key sectors of county lines and the associated exploitation which can include ‘cuckooing’.

In July 2017, we published guidance for professionals to enable them to spot the signs of exploitation and respond appropriately. In addition, we have disseminated information and advice about the issue through a variety of channels including targeted workshops for the housing sector. The next phase of the ongoing nationwide county lines awareness-raising work will be focused on the housing sector, and will include targeted messages through sector bulletins and newsletters as well as specially designed posters and leaflets.