MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE CENTRE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Commenting on the Government’s amendment to create a specific offence of “cuckooing”, Tatiana Gren-Jardan, Head of the Modern Slavery Policy Unit at the Centre for Social Justice and Justice and Care, said:
“We are delighted that today, the Government has finally accepted the evil practice of Cuckooing – where criminals and slavers take over a person’s home to conduct crimes like drug dealing and prostitution – should be a standalone offence.
The Centre for Social Justice and Justice and Care first called for Cuckooing to be outlawed in 2021, since when our research has revealed that one in eight people have seen signs of cuckooing in their community.
In March 2024 during just one week of intensive police action 1,284 cuckooed addresses were visited which gives an indication of the scale of the problem. Entire neighbourhoods and communities are affected and live in fear of the criminals who act with impunity.
But despite its prevalence, no-one really know how many victims of cuckooing there are as there has been no systematic approach to recording it. Police say they need more tools to keep cuckooing criminals off our streets, but the Crown Prosecution Service has repeatedly insisted that it fell outside the scope of the Modern Slavery Act offences. Which is why today’s announcement by the Home Secretary is so important in making it a specific crime and at last providing a better way to prosecute its perpetrators.
‘Cuckooing’ is a rapidly growing issue in the UK affecting the most vulnerable in our society. Often with mental health and addiction issues or a learning disability, they are targeted for their property. The slavers squeeze out the vulnerable resident, just like a cuckoo takes over a nest. The victim is left powerless and terrified to go to police amid threats and fear of repercussions. The property is then taken over for criminal purposes, like storing drugs and arms. Neighbours and communities’ can be blighted by associated anti-social behaviour and other crimes committed by gangs operating from cuckooed homes.
The campaign to recognize Cuckooing as a specific crime has attracted cross-party support. The amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill introducing it as a new standalone offence was tabled by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, supported by 50 MPs from across different parties.”
