Police officers in Plymouth are appealing to local people to help identify possible victims of cuckooing, so they can put safeguarding measures in place for victims and put offenders behind bars.

Cuckooing is a practice where criminals take over a person’s home and use the property for exploitation purposes. It takes its name from cuckoos who take over the nests of other birds.

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There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is a victim of cuckooing:

For more information about cuckooing and county lines, which is the name given to drug dealing where OCGs use phone lines to move and supply drugs usually from cities into smaller towns, visit our website.

If you’re concerned about drug-related crime in your area or you think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please call us on 101. If it's an emergency, please call 999.

Information can also be passed completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers, just call 0800 555111, or via their website.

If you're in danger but you can't talk on the phone, you should still call 999, then follow these instructions depending on whether you're calling from a mobile or a landline.