Criminals taking over homes of those who are vaunerable people and use their property as a base for drug dealing and other crimes

Lets look at the comparison of the cuckoo bird verse the cuckooing which is based around the same principles.

1. The cuckoo bird infiltrates the nest of another bird and places its egg in the nest - Those who cuckoo others properties start by trying to replace friendship and association with others around the home.

2. The cuckoo hides its egg in plain site fooling the other bird to raise its young - Those cuckooing, will look innocent and with the best of intentions to help but their goal is to take possession or at least use the property as a base and control the owner.

3. The cuckoo is a lazy bird, it has no intention of doing the hard work to raise its own young - Those cuckooing don't want to take financial responsibility for the property they have invaded but just want to replicate others to behave in the same way.

4. The cuckoo does not care about the other birds eggs, in fact it will kick them out of the nest killing them - Those cuckooing have similar motivations, they do not care about the owner and in the many  cases the owner get ejected from their own property.

How can I spot the signs of cuckooing?

What other signs can we look out for?

Unfamiliar vehicles - Vehicles never seen before parking there for a long time. 

Others staying at the property while the owners are not there.

Other people driving the car of your neighbours.

Neighbour behaving out of character - when they used to talk now just rushing into their homes.

Garden becoming overgrown.

Strangers at the house consistently.

Unfamiliar and expensive cars appearing on the drive or parking close by.

Groups of people congregating in front or back garden or both.

Front and back doors being on purpose open.

Who do are the easy targets for getting cuckooed?

This is  not an exhaustive list:

• People with drug and alcohol additions themselves.

• Individuals with financial problems.

• Elderly people who are lonely.

• Physical or mental health conditions.

• Those with learning difficulties.

• Individuals not able to make ends meet and take in what looks like lodgers.

• People who are isolated and have difficulty relating to others.

Here is the challenge!

How do we identifying key behaviours of those who are trying to Cuckoo others

Usually they are very nice and extremely helpful and come across as just wanting to help. Usually it is a random stranger or even someone you may have met in the street and  have just engaged them in a normal conversation. They are overly helpful and want to assit you.

Read your heart! You know what its like when a double glassing sales person comes to the door, you are polite but something about their ways makes you feel inside and makes you questioning what are their really motivation. As with the salesperson, you know that they want to do their job and that is sell but you do not want to buy. Everything they say to you does not completely match how you are feeling inside, yet you feel bad because you might feel like you are judging them.

If you feel something is wrong and you have that "feeling" inside then politely disengage and ensure that you keep your distance. speak to one of the people you know maybe a friend or even a neighbour and share your concerns with them. 

6 People arrested in Bath in November 2024

As a charity we have had to assist people who have been or are being  tried to be cuckooed by others. It can be a terrifying situation to be immersed and can really make you feel extremely vulnerable and isolated. Sometimes there are real threats or they are heavily implied and can make you even fear for your own safety. Other get caught out unwittily and find themselves cuckooed even by their own family members that just want to take possession of the house and the owner is threatened very poorly but because its family they do not say anything.

What can you do?

Check in on those who are living around you.

Keep your eye open for changes in your street.

Try to communicate with your community leaders.

If you feel at risk, call the police on 999.

If you have experienced or are experiencing cuckooing right now, we are here to sign post you to places and give the support you need.