'Cuckooing' victims safeguarded in police crackdown

After a crackdown on county lines drug dealing, 45 victims at risk of explotation, including those from 'cuckooing' have been safegaurded, Lancashire Constabulary confirmed.

'Cuckooing' is when gangs take over the homes of vulnerable people and it use as a base for illegal activities, such as drug dealing.

Police also arrested 70 people involved in criminal activity across Lancashire, including the seizure of "significant" amounts of cash, heroin and weapons as well as machetes and a samurai sword.

It forms part of a wider push from the force to educate residents on the signs of exploitation, notably of children, by county lines drug gangs in the region.

Officers from across the county carried out a programme of targeted enforcement and safeguarding as part of a week of action on county lines drug dealing - the term used to describe the supply of drugs from larger cities into smaller, rural areas.

Their crackdown resulted in the dismantling of three county lines drug networks, 10 weapons and 52 mobile phones seized and nearly £100,000 retrieved, the force said.

Such gangs "frequently exploit" young and vulnerable people - coercing them to transport drugs, money and weapons.

They said signs of child exploitation can range from being bought clothes, leaving the house for a long period of time and returning with large amounts of cash.

The crackdown comes after the government announced it is in the process of making 'cuckooing' a specific criminal offence - where before police would have to rely on charging individuals over drug supply, harassment or modern slavery legislation.

Lancashire Constabulary's James Edmonds said: "County lines exploitation continues to cause real harm in our communities.

"Our teams have worked tirelessly, carrying out warrants, safeguarding children and adults at risk, and targeting those who think they can profit from exploitation".

During the week, officers gave talks in schools and distributed leaflets encouraging members of the public to make themselves aware of the signs of child criminal exploitation.

Methods to report suspected cases of exploitation and criminality can be found online.

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