Police told to review similar cases - in case more people's homes have been taken over by drug gangs
Today's safeguarding review calls for 12 changes to the way police and other agencies operate
Last updated 20th Apr 2023
The Home Office is being urged to make major changes after the case of a Devon man who was 'cuckooed' - which is when drugs dealers take over someone's home.
Erik Huber, 48, lived in the Exeter area and Devon & Cornwall Police have been told to review similar cases in case more people are still being exploited right now
Today's safeguarding review calls for 12 changes to the way police and other agencies operate.
It found Erik had made a number of reports to police - including about people using his bank card to buy things He'd reported break ins, and at one point was even moved to a place of safety - but would also retract claims which made it harder to take action.
The report says vulnerable people like Erick shouldn't be the primary witnesses in cases of exploitation by county lines drugs gangs
Paul Northcott, the Independent Chair of the Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership, said: “The Safeguarding Adults Review report that has been published today, highlights a number of areas of learning in relation to vulnerability, dealing with those with complex needs and the issue of cuckooing
“The recommendations that have been made will assist the individual agencies in identifying those who are victimised by such crimes and will help in shaping support for some of our most vulnerable people in our communities
“The lessons that are contained in the report are wide ranging and will assist in strengthening our approach to preventative work in this area. These lessons also have national implications and they will be progressed with the appropriate Government Departments”
One of the recommendations says within six months there should be 'a case audit of people who are potential victims of cuckooing to ensure that related crimes are being investigated in a timely way with all proportionate investigative elements being considered, and that these crimes are receiving effective supervision, with a clear focus on bringing perpetrators to justice'.
You can read the full report here