Cuckooing often commences with adult grooming.

Victims may be approached in a friendly manner, with efforts made to build trust.

Offering the victim something of interest to them is a common strategy of cuckooing perpetrators. This could be, for example, a romantic relationship, friendship, sex, alcohol, money or drugs.

In return, the perpetrator will then request ‘a favour’, typically a place to stay for a few days, a place to meet their friends, or the storage of items.

Once a perpetrator has gained access to a property, the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator typically deteriorates. The ‘benefits’ offered by the perpetrator swiftly begin to reduce and may be terminated entirely.

When asked to leave the victim’s home, perpetrators are likely to respond with intimidation and violence.