Blackburn author calls for cuckooing to be made criminal

Christina Gabbitas, who is also an honorary member of the NSPCC Council, delivered her thoughts on cuckooing at the first major conference on the issue at the University of Leeds earlier this month, in which calls were made for cuckooing to be made a criminal offence.

The conference, attended by senior Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith, aimed to shed light on the growing concern of cuckooing - a practice in which organised crime groups take control of vulnerable adults' residence for illicit activities, primarily related to drug trafficking.

Christina shared insights into her early intervention work with various police forces, such as North Yorkshire, Humberside, Lancashire, and Northumbria, and emphasised the importance of educating young people about the dangers of county lines involvement.

In her latest storybook, Trapped in County Lines, Christina explores the harrowing experiences of a character whose home is taken over by a criminal group, leading to a fatality and one of the characters going missing.

She is currently collaborating with several police forces to deliver informative sessions in secondary schools, highlighting the crucial role early intervention plays in safeguarding young individuals.

READ MORE: Blackburn author's work with police earns her book prize final place

Christina said. “I welcomed the invitation to speak at the conference as I feel early intervention is being overlooked.

"I hear so many harrowing stories of children and young people who are involved in county lines.

“I receive message from all corners of the UK from parents and carers whose children have and are still suffering.

"It’s not just the individuals themselves its whole families and communities that are affected.

“In my opinion we need to do more to educate our children, young people, and communities.

“The police are doing an amazing job cutting down these lines, but as soon as one is taken down, others are set up. We all need to work together.”

An engagement session with Blackburn with Darwen Police and some school children within Cherry Tree Library (Image: Christina Gabbitas)

Dr Laura Bainbridge, organiser of the conference, founder and chair of the Cuckooing Research and Prevention Network, and lecturer in criminal justice at the University of Leeds, said effective early intervention is vital to protect young individuals from exploitation, and said Christina's work serves as a shining example in this regard.

Sir Iain also voiced his support for criminalising cuckooing as part of an overhaul of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act.

What is County Lines?

County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’.

The gang activity is associated with violence, drug dealing and exploitation; having a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

Gangs will use children, and vulnerable people, to move drugs and money, criminally exploiting them; they will also seek to establish a base in target locations, typically taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion – this is referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

People exploited in this way will quite often be exposed to physical, mental and sexual abuse, and in some instances will be trafficked to areas a long way from home as part of the network's drug dealing business. 

Children often don't see themselves as victims or realise they have been groomed to get involved in criminality, so it's important that everyone plays their part to understand county lines and speak out if they have concerns. 

If you suspect someone may be a victim of cuckooing, you can contact the police on 101 or visit the Lancashire Police website for more information on the issue.