UK Government Targets 'Cuckooing' with New Crime and Policing Bill

The UK is introducing legislation to combat 'cuckooing', where criminals use vulnerable individuals' homes for illegal activities. A new crime bill also targets adults exploiting children for crime. These measures aim to better protect victims and ensure harsher penalties for offenders, with sentences up to 10 years.

The UK government has announced a crackdown on the exploitative crime of "cuckooing", where criminals forcefully take over the homes of vulnerable people for illicit activities like drug dealing. As part of an aggressive crime prevention effort, these actions will be addressed in a forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill.

A key feature of this bill is the establishment of severe penalties for those who use children in criminal activities. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the reforms as crucial to ending the exploitation of children and vulnerable individuals. These offenses could lead to prison sentences ranging from five to ten years.

The legislation, set for discussion in the House of Commons, appeals to both the humane treatment of victims and the broader effort to uncover hidden crimes. It also includes novel legal orders to manage individuals who exploit children, adding another layer of protection for at-risk minors.

(With inputs from agencies.)