Know the signs of cuckooing and help make Merseyside safer

What would you do if there was a way for you to help vulnerable people suffering at the hands of gangs and by doing so make Merseyside safer for generations to come? Could you help them?

Vulnerable people in Merseyside are being targeted by gangs involved in County Lines drugs supply and having their homes taken over to be used as bases for drug dealing in a tactic known as cuckooing.

These criminals prey on the vulnerable such as those with learning difficulties, financial problems, drug and alcohol addictions, the elderly and young single mothers.

They often begin with one member of the gang befriending their victim and offering things they perceive they need, free gifts, money, protection, carrying out jobs, drugs or alcohol.

However, these gifts and friendships come at a significant cost and the gang will move into the person’s home where they will store drugs and weapons and carry out their drug trade.

Victims quickly find themselves in a position where they are trapped in their own homes, intimidated and threatened by the gang and unable to see a way forward.

You can make a difference

This is clearly not acceptable. It has to stop and you can make a difference by ensuring you know the signs of cuckooing and reporting anything suspicious.

The strength of Merseyside lies in our communities and thanks to information given to police and Crimestoppers some significant offenders are currently serving extremely lengthy prison sentences.

Merseyside is currently proactively targeting criminal gangs with our Clear, Hold, Build partnership work, known locally as EVOLVE, where police and partners are committed to ridding our neighbourhoods of these criminals and rebuilding communities most affected by gang-related activity so