Greenwich Council has shut down a council flat in Plumstead belonging to a vulnerable resident being used as a location for addicts to buy and take drugs.
A council investigation revealed that the property had been taken over by drug dealers and 'cuckooed', a form of criminal exploitation where drug gangs target vulnerable residents and take over their homes to use, store and sell drugs from.
Both residents and council staff reported that several suspicious visitors were frequenting the one-bed flat in Plumstead, and drug paraphernalia was being left in stair wells.
A council investigation led to the council applying for a closure order, which was made and granted at Bromley Magistrates Court on November 27.
Cllr Jackie Smith, cabinet member for Children's Services and Community Safety, said: “These criminals who participate in cuckooing target some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and will often use violence or threats of violence to control them.
“This premises closure was a necessary step to safeguard a vulnerable tenant and protect residents. We will continue to ensure the safety of all residents by working alongside the police and other agencies to tackle drugs and criminal exploitation.”
The flat has now been secured against entry, and the closure order means it is a criminal offence for anyone to enter the property for three months.
The council warned that anyone who breaches the order will be arrested, and said it is also considering outright possession of the property.
The council described cuckooing as 'a form of criminal exploitation, when drug gangs target vulnerable residents and take over their homes to store, use and sell drugs from – these vulnerable residents usually have substance/alcohol abuse or mental health issues and are taken advantage of.'
The key signs that a property has been cuckooed include an increase in different people entering and leaving, signs of drug use, larger numbers of cars and bikes parked outside and increased litter around the property.
If you suspect cuckooing may be taking place in a property in Royal Greenwich, you should call the police non-emergency number on 101 or report it online.
In an emergency, always call 999.
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