Camden is a hotspot for criminal exploitation of the vulnerable, police data reveals

The London Borough of Camden has become a hotspot for criminals exploiting vulnerable people for home takeovers — a practice known as “cuckooing”.

Metropolitan Police data obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal that Camden has the largest recorded instances of gangs and individuals preying on vulnerable people with the goal of moving into their home and using it as a base for drug-dealing, storing weapons or other illegal activities.

The tactic is frequently used by county lines drug networks.

Data released via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request shows that between 2021 and 2025 Camden had the highest number of flagged cuckooing victims in the capital (34), with police tagging 161 cuckooing incidents in the district between 2023 and 2026 — overshadowing all other London boroughs.

A Camden Council spokesperson said the practice was “notoriously hard to detect” but the local authority was already working with the police and other partners to tackle the issue, including by creating a dedicated panel for “highest risk” cases.

“People who are vulnerable to [cuckooing] are often isolated and preyed upon by criminals exploiting their situation. Recognising the extent of where this is taking place is crucial, so we can intervene and put the right support in place,” the spokesperson said.

Cuckooing often follows a pattern: the criminal gives the victim money, drugs or help, and later convinces them to let them use their home, either by intimidating them or as part of a friendly relationship.

Once inside the home, their behaviour typically becomes more aggressive and the criminal takes control. They may bring more criminals to visit or stay in the property, outnumbering the victim and leaving them feeling trapped.

Meanwhile, the perpetrator may try to involve the victim in their illegal activity, such as selling drugs.

Islington, Southwark, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets also saw a significant spike in the number of cuckooing incidents in 2024/25, though these declined overall across London the following year.

Hackney, Brent, and Hammersmith and Fulham had the highest number of identified victims in the three years recorded, after Camden.

Camden Council claims the high rate of incidents reflects the fact the borough is home to three main transport hubs connecting London to the rest of the country: Euston, King’s Cross and St Pancras. It also attributes the rise in reported cases to its efforts in raising awareness around the issue.

The local authority’s Cuckooing Panel, introduced in 2025, has already led to positive outcomes for victims, according to the council.

The homelessness charity St Mungo’s described cuckooing as a relatively new phenomenon, and warned that people facing homelessness were particularly at risk due to the frequency of physical and mental health needs arising from trauma, substance abuse and trouble accessing support services.

On 29 April, Parliament passed the Crime and Policing Bill which made cuckooing a specific criminal offence.

The Met told the LDRS it was working with partner agencies including local authorities and housing associations to monitor and tackle this type of activity and antisocial behaviour.

A spokesperson said: “In Camden, we are also piloting an approach with partners which includes a new governance structure alongside academic research, aimed at gaining a deeper knowledge into cuckooing and the way we work to tackle it.”

‘Cuckooing’ signs to watch out for

The Met has warned that the following things could be a sign of cuckooing.

The victim may show:

• a change in mood
• a change in behaviour, for example, less contact with family, friends or neighbours
• a change in routine
• a change in appearance, for example, an injury, weight loss or not taking care of how they dress

At or around the home, you may notice:

• lots of visitors
• bikes and cars always arriving or parked nearby
• anti-social behaviour
• graffiti or damage
• litter such as alcohol bottles or cans
• drug-related items such as syringes, foil or cling film

More information: Camden Council, Address of concern and cuckooing.

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