Luton ‘cuckooing’ victim made to sleep on his own sofa by drug users
Police have slapped a partial closure order on a Luton property to safeguard a victim of cuckooing from being exploited in their own home.
The order was granted after police received reports that a vulnerable Lewsey Farm resident was being taken advantage of by drug users - known as ‘cuckooing’.
Police say the person had offered his home to someone ‘with the best intentions’, but had been made to sleep on the sofa, while groups of drug users used his bedroom to use drugs, conceal stolen items and as a place to stay.
A spokesperson for the Luton Community Policing Team, said: "With the support of Luton Borough council housing and social care, the order was submitted to Luton Magistrates' Court and accepted. This prevents anyone but the tenant and listed persons from being at the address for the next three months. Breach of this order is a serious criminal offence.
“The aim of this is to not only safeguard the tenant but also provide respite to the local community who have had to tolerate anti social behaviour and violent incidents as a result of the cuckooing.
“Our team will always look to robustly deal with anti social behaviour and criminality happening within the community, with the focus on protecting the most vulnerable.”
Anyone with concerns or information can contact police via a webchat or 101 to make local officers aware.