CUCKOOING

The most common form of cuckooing involves drug dealers or gangs taking control of a person's home to store, prepare, and distribute drugs. However, it can also involve using the property for sex work, human trafficking, storing weapons or illicit cash, as a place for the criminals to live, or simply for financially abusing the tenant. Victims are typically vulnerable individuals, such as those with drug or alcohol addiction, mental health issues, physical disabilities, learning difficulties, or who are socially isolated, elderly, or struggling financially. The criminals often befriend the victim and form a relationship, before gradually exerting control. The term comes from the cuckoo bird's practice of taking over other birds' nests for its young. The metaphor is apt - just as cuckoos parasitically use other birds' nests, criminals parasitically take over vulnerable people's homes for their illegal activities.

The term first emerged in the UK in the early 2000s, when it was used by law enforcement and social workers to describe this specific form of exploitation. In the last ten years, it has entered the mainstream and its use has spread to other English-speaking countries. It is similar in meaning and use to the US term "trap house."

Cuckooing often involves unusual activity at a vulnerable person's home. Signs include frequent comings and goings of unfamiliar people, often at odd hours, sudden deterioration in the condition of the property, increased anti-social behavior, or the person becoming withdrawn, anxious, or secretive. If you suspect that a neighbor is being "cuckood," let the police or social services know.

"Cuckooing" is a slang term. Slang is informal language that consists of words, phrases, and uses of language that are often restricted to a specific context or a particular group of users. It is not typically used in formal or professional settings. However, in this case, the term was first coined by British law enforcement officers and social workers, and is still used formally within those circles.