Cuckooing in Student Accommodation: How the Crime and Policing Bill could help Universities better protect their students
The UK government is introducing new legislation under the Crime and Policing Bill, designed to criminalize "cuckooing" and child criminal exploitation (CCE). This bill will formally classify cuckooing—where criminals take over the homes of vulnerable individuals for illegal activities—as a crime, carrying a maximum sentence of five years. Additionally, those involved in grooming young people into criminal operations, such as county lines drug networks, could face up to ten years in prison. Courts will also be given new powers to issue prevention orders against individuals suspected of exploiting minors, with violations leading to prison terms of up to five years.
This change in the law will have a significant effect on universities, especially in student accommodation. Criminal groups frequently exploit university students by pressuring them into allowing their residences to be used for illegal activity, particularly in drug distribution. Reports indicate that since the 2016-17 academic year, around 14,000 drug-related incidents have been recorded in student accommodations and on university campuses, with approximately 300 specifically linked to drug dealing. Data collected from seven universities suggests that since 2017, at least 109 students have been involved in county lines activities, either as direct victims or participants. Furthermore, surveys have shown that up to a third of students have witnessed potential signs of county lines activity, such as peers suddenly possessing unexplained sums of money (27%), using multiple disposable phones (29%), and frequently hosting non-students in their accommodations late at night (34%).
The new legislation aims to give law enforcement and universities clearer guidelines to tackle these crimes. By defining cuckooing explicitly as a criminal offense, the government intends to provide greater protection for students who may be coerced into these situations. As a result, universities will likely need to improve safeguarding strategies, such as increasing awareness campaigns, offering specialized training for both staff and students, and working more closely with police forces to ensure compliance with the law.
Beyond deterring criminal activity, the bill also seeks to improve protections for students who have fallen victim to cuckooing. Acknowledging that coercion and manipulation are often involved in these cases, the legislation shifts the focus towards penalizing offenders rather than victims. This is particularly important in higher education settings, where students may hesitate to report incidents due to fear of repercussions or disciplinary action. Universities are being encouraged to adopt policies centred around victim support, ensuring affected students can access counselling, academic adjustments, and, if necessary, alternative housing options.
To further support victims, new resources have been introduced, including the "Preventing & Disrupting Cuckooing Victimisation Toolkit," developed by researchers at the University of Leeds in partnership with law enforcement and local councils. This toolkit provides guidelines on identifying cuckooing, assessing risk factors, and implementing safeguarding strategies. It also includes training materials to help university staff and professionals in other sectors recognize vulnerable individuals and intervene appropriately.
The introduction of specific laws targeting cuckooing and CCE, combined with expanded preventive measures and additional resources, represents a major step forward in enhancing student safety in university accommodations. With a coordinated effort between universities, law enforcement, and social services, the legislation aims to create a more secure environment for students, allowing them to focus on their education without the risk of criminal exploitation.
