Residents can expect to see an increase police presence in the area
Two men have been arrested following a report of suspected cuckooing at a property on Estcourt Street in Hull, Humberside Police said. Cuckooing involves a criminal taking over the home of a vulnerable person to establish a base for illegal activity.
According the police, a man was being ‘held against his will inside a property by two men’. The force said he was allegedly coerced into distributing drugs on their behalf.
Two men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threats to kill, and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine. Both remain in police custody at this time.
Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Tom Stevens said: “Officers were deployed following concerns raised by a member of a partner agency reporting a man being held against his will inside a property by two men, and allegedly coerced into distributing drugs on their behalf. Thanks to swift action by officers, a 26-year-old man and a 20-year-old man were arrested at the scene on suspicion of false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threats to kill, and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine. Both men remain in police custody while enquiries continue.
“We take all reports of exploitation and criminality seriously, and we’re committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. Thanks to our close partnership working with local services, officers were able to act quickly to safeguard those at risk and ensure they are now receiving the support they need.
“Local residents can expect to see an increased presence from neighbourhood policing officers in the area as they continue with lines of enquiry. We continue work closely with our partners to tackle local issues and disrupt criminality in our communities.
“Please continue to speak to us if you have any concerns around criminality and exploitation in your area. You can report via our non-emergency number 101, or always call 999 in an emergency. If you wish to report information anonymously, you can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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Humberside Police said that there are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is a victim of cuckooing. These include:
- frequent visitors at unsociable hours
- changes in your neighbour’s daily routine
- unusual smells coming from a property
- suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles outside an address