Police Intensify Efforts to Shield Vulnerable Individuals from Exploitation in Plymouth

Police officials have announced they are implementing additional measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals in Plymouth from falling victim to exploitation. Devon and Cornwall Police stated that their neighbourhood team is undertaking “proactive action” within the city’s Prince Rock area. PC Becky Lawrence indicated that officers are actively monitoring for “possible indicators of exploitation,” including the practice known as cuckooing. This practice involves criminals seizing control of a household to utilize the property for exploitative purposes. PC Lawrence elaborated, “If we suspect a vulnerable person is being cuckooed, our officers begin the process of working with local partners to put relevant safeguarding support in place to protect them from being a victim. We have also been able to help victims install CCTV at their address as well as security systems and lighting.” Law enforcement advised the public to be vigilant for warning signs of cuckooing, such as an increase in visitors to a property at unsociable hours, suspicious vehicles parked outside an address, and unusual smells emanating from a property. Acting Ch Insp Dom Nicholls Nicholls further urged, “I’d like to encourage the local community to come forward and report anything that doesn’t look quite right.” Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.