When a home becomes a drugs base: what to do about cuckooing

Cuckooing is the practice of befriending vulnerable people in order to use their home for drug dealing. It is an increasing and complex problem, in which the victim might experience financial, emotional and physical abuse – and is afraid to seek help for fear of being taken to be part of the crime. This talk explores the issues cuckooing presents and the need for a multi-disciplinary approach.

Louise Butler is the Bi-Borough Head of Service Safeguarding and Quality for Westminster City Council. She leads change programs including quality assurance, community engagement and organisational development with a focus on safeguarding adults. She has published material on making safeguarding personal in the Journal of Adult Protection.

Chloe Higginson is Anti-Social Behaviour Caseworker for Westminster City Council. She has a background in psychology, and has worked extensively in the probation service including as court probation officer at Central Criminal Court. In her current role she takes a victim-centred, multi-agency case management approach to addressing residential and street-based anti-social behaviour.