Partners come together to tackle the abuse of vulnerable residents.

A cross partnership project has launched to help raise awareness and tackle the issue of home takeover in Newcastle, also referred to as home invasion or cuckooing, which exploits vulnerable people in the community.

Home takeover

The partnership, made up of the Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board, The Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Safe Newcastle Board, as well as input from the University of Northumbria, have worked together to produce two new animations to help explain the issue and raise awareness of how members of the public and professionals can spot and report any concerns.

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Caring City and Deputy Leader, Newcastle City Council said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their support in raising awareness of this, often hidden, abuse of some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. We are committed to eradicating this type of behaviour and this latest project is a great example of how partnership working brings together a wide range of knowledge and experience to tackle key issues in an effective way.”

Cllr Paula Maines, Cabinet Member for a Resilient City, Newcastle City Council said: “There is no excuse for abuse of any sort, and it is a key priority for us that everyone can live in safety and without fear. I am proud that we are continuing to work proactively with our partners to prevent this type of activity in our city and would encourage anyone with concerns to contact the relevant agency.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “We must do everything we can to protect and support vulnerable people in our communities – anyone who is being taken advantage of, exploited, or abused. This can look very different for different people but can leave a victim feeling threatened and scared in their own home. Increasing awareness of how exploiters hook their victims in and take over their homes is so important. It helps people understand what is happening to them or those around them, and crucially, how to get help.”

Home takeover is when criminal gangs use violence, threats and abuse to target the homes of vulnerable people to use them as a base for crime, often drug storage or dealing. It is commonly referred to as “cuckooing” and it can also be called home invasion. It is exploitation.

Home takeover can be used for various reasons including, using the property to deal, store or take drugs, for sexual exploitation or sex work, taking over the property as a place for them to live, or to financially abuse the owner or tenant.

Home takeover allows criminals to operate from a property rather than the street, which is out of sight from Police or other authorities, and perpetrators will often only stay for a short period of time.

The impact of home takeover on the individual and their family can be hugely significant, not only for their wellbeing and mental health, but it can also put them at risk of abuse, isolation, shame, participating (usually through force) in criminal activities and they may risk losing their home. The new animations aim to help the public and professionals spot the signs of this abuse and report their concerns. One is also aimed at raising awareness with young people and practitioners who work with young people, who may be at risk of exploitation.

Signs and indicators of this type of abuse can include:

Becoming withdrawn, nervous, anxious – a change in behaviour which may also include avoidance.
Frequent or high numbers of visitors at an address.
Having money/mobile phones/burner phones without a plausible explanation.
Squalid property conditions or damage to the property as well as self-neglect signs of drug misuse including deal bags and weighing scales.
Becoming involved in criminality.
Increased or change in use of drugs or alcohol.
Unexplained injuries or other health concerns such as bruising, puncture/stab wounds.carrying weapons.
Developing inappropriate/unusual relationships/associations.
Anti-social behaviour/neighbour complaints.
Missing people, including children often found in properties which have been taken over.

If you have a concern this can be reported via a number of different organisations who will work with the relevant agencies to ensure the safety of those at risk.

Northumbria Police

999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in immediate danger.

Telephone 101 or make an online report for all other concerns.

Crimestoppers (give information 100% anonymously)

Telephone 0800 555 111 or give information online

Fearless (Crimestoppers reporting for 11-16 year olds)

Telephone 0800 555 111 or online

Via safeguarding children or adult procedures or make a multi-agency referral.

Trusted adult/professional

Links to the new animations are available below:

Professionals video

Young people/education video