To report any concerns you may have please contact:
Hertsmere Borough Council: 020 8207 2277 asking for the Community Safety Team or
Police: 101 (non-emergency) in an emergency call 999 or
Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
If you have safeguarding concerns for a child, young person or vulnerable adult please report these to:
Children's Services: 0300 123 4043
Adult Care Services: 0300 123 4042
Exploitation
Cuckooing is the term used to describe the actions of people who take over the homes of vulnerable people in order to use and deal drugs. The people taking over homes can be local, or urban gangs who travel to suburban areas to establish a base for dealing drugs. As a result of these activities, those being "cuckooed" can suffer from abuse and exploitation.
Like other forms of exploitation, cuckooing:
can affect any vulnerable adult over the age of 18 years - vulnerable can include those who are isolated, have a physical disability, learning difficulties, drug or alcohol misuser, those living in poverty or have mental health needs
can still be exploited even if the activity appears consensual
can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and is often accompanied by violence or threats of violence
can be done by individuals or groups, males and females, and young people or adults
involves some form of power imbalance in favour of those doing the exploiting
can affect any child or young person, (male or female) under the age of 18 years being used as a drug runner.
County Lines is the term used for urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas. It involves child criminal exploitation as gangs use children and vulnerable people to move drugs and money. Gangs establish a base in the market location, typically by taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion.
County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving:
drugs
violence
gangs
safeguarding issues
criminal and sexual exploitation
modern slavery
missing persons
We as the Hertsmere Community Safety Partnership are dedicated to supporting our residents and protecting them from exploitation. We encourage people to tell us when they have any suspicions or concerns about one of their neighbours, family members or friends being “cuckooed” or recruited by gangs. The information you provide can remain anonymous. You have the power to speak up for those who need protecting.
Support
We can support young people and adults to access support services if they want to get away from this exploitation:
Services for Young People Positive Alternatives programme is for young people ages 11-17 who are at risk of becoming involved with gangs and violent crimes and motivates young people to actively consider alternatives to gang culture and crime. For more information call 0300 123 7538 or email sfyp@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Childline - supporting anyone under 19 in the UK with any issues they're going through
Fearless - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to advise young people about crime and criminality
Missing People - a charity searching for missing people on behalf of the friends and family left behind.