Leeds Women’s Homelessness and Housing Frontline Network | July 2025

Cuckooing — where someone’s home is taken over by others to carry out criminal activity — is a growing concern across Leeds. While it can affect anyone, our recent reflective session focused on the particular risks faced by women experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and multiple disadvantages.

We were joined by expert speakers: Amber Wilson from Basis Yorkshire, Dr Amy Loughery from the University of Leeds, and Heather Ashby from the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT). Together, they highlighted how exploitation is often misunderstood, hidden behind trauma, and can be dismissed as “making bad choices,” particularly when it affects women. They also provided key information on the West Yorkshire Cuckooing Toolkit, the Cuckooing Research and Prevention Network, and the role of Leeds’ specialist multi-agency teams working to identify, disrupt, and respond to cuckooing and exploitation across the city.

Cuckooing is linked to organised crime and coercive control, often targeting people who are isolated or have support needs. Victims may be pressured or manipulated into letting others stay, then quickly lose control of their home. Signs include disengagement from services, missed appointments, unfamiliar visitors, and clients saying, “It doesn’t feel like my home anymore.”

Key reflections from the session included:

• Spotting signs early: Watch for withdrawal, financial abuse, sudden behaviour changes, and others being seen at or living in the property.
• Helping clients set boundaries: Support people to build confidence, understand their rights, and roleplay how to respond to pressure or coercion.
• Safeguarding everyone involved: Don’t overlook people not on the tenancy — ask who else is staying and advocate for them too, especially if they are at risk.

Legal tools such as Premises Closure Orders and ASB Injunctions can help secure properties quickly, but speakers stressed that long-term prevention depends on trauma-informed, non-judgemental support and multi-agency collaboration.

Workers are encouraged to use the West Yorkshire Cuckooing Toolkit, which details warning signs, risk pathways, and how to raise concerns safely. The Cuckooing Research and Prevention Network also offers resources and opportunities to stay connected across sectors.

Thank you to all who connected and shared their insights. Tackling cuckooing takes awareness, teamwork, and persistence — and together, we can protect those most at risk.

If you are a frontline worker and would like to access the regular Frontline Worker network meetings in Leeds, sign up for the mailing list to receive updates and be notified about future events.