County lines and cuckooing

Have you been affected by county lines or cuckooing, or would you like to understand more about them?

County lines and cuckooing are forms of criminal exploitation. They often involve organised criminal groups taking advantage of children, young people or adults who may be vulnerable.

People affected by these crimes are often manipulated, pressured, threatened or controlled. If this has happened to you or someone you know, support is available.

What is county lines?

County lines is when criminal groups transport and sell illegal drugs across different areas, often between cities and towns.

The term ‘county line’ refers to a mobile phone line used by criminal networks to take drug orders and organise activity.

Children and vulnerable adults are often exploited to carry out these activities. This can include being pressured or forced to:

• Transport drugs or money between locations
• Store drugs or weapons
• Deliver drugs to people
• Travel to unfamiliar areas to work for a gang

This is known as criminal exploitation.

If you are under 18, you might feel like you have agreed to take part. But when someone manipulates, pressures or controls you to commit crimes for them, this is exploitation. It’s not your choice.

What is cuckooing?

Cuckooing is when someone takes over another person’s home and uses it for criminal activity.

Criminal groups often target people who may be vulnerable, including people who:

• Live alone
• Have physical or mental health difficulties
• Use drugs or alcohol
• Are experiencing financial hardship
• Are isolated from support networks

They may use threats, violence, manipulation or control to gain access to the property.

Once inside, they may use the home to:

• Deal or store illegal drugs
• Take drugs
• Run county lines drug operations
• Exploit others through criminal or sexual activity

Sometimes the people responsible may move into the property and use it as a base for criminal activity.

Exploitation and the law

The exploitation of children, young people and adults through county lines or cuckooing is recognised as a serious crime. In many cases, it may be investigated under modern slavery and human trafficking laws.

If you’ve been exploited in this way, help and support are available.

Get the help you need

If you would like information, advice or emotional support, call us on 0800 876 6155. We can listen to what has happened and help you understand what support options are available.

You can also get help from specialist organisations.

SafeCall – The national county lines exploitation support service run by the charity Missing People. It offers a free, confidential and anonymous helpline for young people and families affected by county lines and criminal exploitation.
Call or text: 116 000
Email: 116000@missingpeople.org.uk
Online chat: available via the Missing People website

Greater Manchester Police – They provide information about county lines and cuckooing, signs to look out for if you are worried about someone, and ways to report concerns.

The Children’s Society – Offers information and support about county lines and child criminal exploitation.