Drug gangs are taking over hundreds, potentially thousands, of homes across the UK each week, primarily for storing and dealing narcotics, police chiefs have disclosed. This practice, known as 'cuckooing', involves criminals forcing their way into the residences of vulnerable people, such as the elderly or disabled, to conduct illegal activities.

Cuckooing, named after the parasitic cuckoo bird that lays eggs in other birds' nests, often exploits individuals who may be dependent on drugs, with gangs moving in and refusing to leave. The tactic makes it difficult to track the full extent of the problem, as it is not yet a specific criminal offense, leading to limited official data.

However, exclusive figures obtained by the BBC reveal a significant scale of the issue in London, with 1,539 cuckooing incidents reported to the police between May 2025 and April 2026. The majority of these victims, 1,275, were male. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) highlighted the severe impact on victims, who often find themselves trapped and subjected to horrific abuse.

Kirsten Dent from the NPCC told the BBC that victims have been forced to engage in degrading acts, such as consuming excrement, and performing sexual acts. This information is then used by perpetrators as a form of blackmail, threatening to share it on social media or with associates if victims do not comply.

The practice is often hidden within private homes, making it challenging for law enforcement to detect. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 is set to introduce 'cuckooing' as a specific criminal offense by the end of the year, carrying a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. However, statutory guidance from the government is still pending before police forces can fully enforce the new law.

In preparation for the upcoming legislation, the BBC accompanied officers from London's Metropolitan Police on visits to suspected cuckooing properties, observing firsthand the squalid conditions left behind. Victims interviewed by the BBC described feeling like prisoners in their own homes, often too fearful of violent reprisken to report the crimes to the authorities.

One victim, identified as Jamie, a 34-year-old man with brain damage, shared his experience. His vulnerability, stemming from a head injury that affects his mobility and speech, made him an easy target for drug gangs who exploited his inability to defend himself.

Another victim, Jackie, whose home was taken over by a drug dealer, is now assisting other victims of cuckooing, demonstrating a community response to the pervasive criminal tactic.