Caring cops make unusual arrest for 'cuckooing' at the home of a vulnerable person in Milton Keynes

Neighbourhood officers from the northern MK team received intelligence that the abuse was happening at an address on Millward Drive, Fenny Stratford.

Cuckooing is a form of crime in which drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it as a base for dealing.

Police swooped on the address yesterday and arrested a suspect, who has now been charged and remanded.

The victim is now being “safeguarded”, said a police spokesman.

According to Crimestoppers charity, victims of cuckooing are often drug users but can include older people, those suffering from mental or physical health problems, female sex workers, single mums and those living in poverty.

A Crimestoppers spokesman said: “Once they gain control, gangs move in with the risk of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and violence. Children as well as adults are used as drug runners.”

He said it is common for gangs to have access to several addresses. They move quickly between vulnerable people's homes for just a few hours, a couple of days or sometimes longer in a bid to avoid to evade detection.

Often the gangs may use accommodation in quiet areas, including serviced apartments, holiday lets, budget hotels and caravan parks.

“Some vulnerable adults may be forced to leave their homes, making themselves homeless and leaving the gangs free to sell drugs in their absence,” said the spokesman.

Signs that cuckooing may be going on at a property include an increase in people entering and leaving, an increase in cars or bikes outside, possible increase in anti-social behaviour, increasing litter outside, evidence of drugs use and a lack of the usual healthcare visitors.