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poised to help them out of danger, like Catalyst Support’ s fantastic cuckooing service.’
Catalyst Support works at raising awareness of cuckooing to make sure that fewer people fall victim and so that neighbours, friends and family can spot the signs. Karen lists some things to look out for in the behaviour of a vulnerable person:‘ They might start talking about a new friend who’ s helping them. They might become withdrawn or cancel home visits. Somebody else might start answering their phone. They might appear to be more financially unstable.’
Referrals for cuckooing have come from family members, doctors, neigh bours, vicars and friends, so it’ s important that as many people as possible are aware of this practice, how to spot it and how to report any concerns.
For many years, the lack of awareness around cuckooing extended to the legislation against it, and cuckooing is still not currently recognised as a crime – something that leaves victims feeling unseen and limits opportunities for police intervention. Catalyst Support works to help victims feel valid in their experience. One service user says,‘ You saw me as a victim and made me feel visible. It gave me a way out, it helped me build up my self-worth and improve my quality of life.’
A STANDALONE OFFENCE There has been tireless campaigning to have cuckooing recognised as a standalone offence. Tatiana Gren-Jordan,
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former head of the Modern Slavery Policy Unit at The Centre for Social Justice says,‘ In March 2024, 1,284 cuckooed addresses were visited in one week of national intensive police enforcement action on county lines drug dealing. This provided clear evidence that this issue is of national importance.’
Finally, in February 2025 the crime and policing bill included looking at new legislation, which will mean that cuckooing will finally become a criminal offence in its own right( DDN, March, page 4).
‘ Catalyst Support cuckooing team welcomes the first steps to recognising cuckooing as a stand-alone crime,’ says Karen.‘ We hope that making it a criminal offence will make a difference to the support available to victims, as well as deter perpetrators from exploiting vulnerable people. Cuckooing has long been a hidden crime, and the impact it has on vulnerable victims has often not been recognised. There is still stigma from both sides: agencies thinking people invited the perpetrators in as they“ wanted some free drugs”, and also victims feeling they will not
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be believed or are not worth it. We hope that the change in the legislation will help the victims to be seen and receive the support they require and build resilience to avoid further exploitation.’
IMPROVING THE SUPPORT As the first specialist outreach team in England to support victims of cuckooing, we welcome the improvements in identification of cuckooing and new laws that will allow professionals to take action. Catalyst Support will continue to provide an assertive outreach
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service and further support to both victims and partner agencies to help address cuckooing in our communities. Since the initial pilot, the team has received more than 588 referrals from victims aged between 18 and 93. Cuckooing can affect people of any age or background – although there are some vulnerabilities which can increase susceptibility to victimisation.
Karen Jones is team leader for the cuckooing outreach service at Catalyst Support
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