Man barricaded inside Amesbury home going through cuckooing

Police were called to an address in Amesbury last week after serious welfare concerns were raised for a vulnerable resident.

Officers from Salisbury’s Response Team 3A attended the property on the evening of Monday, March 23, following reports from a member of the public. When they arrived, they found a man inside who had barricaded items against the door.

Police said the man was not on the housing association tenancy and had been coercing and "cuckooing" the tenant, who had recently fled the address.

He was removed from the property along with his belongings and told not to return, in line with the tenant’s wishes.

An Amesbury Police spokesperson said: "The victim has since been fully safeguarded, the housing association notified, and local Neighbourhood Policing Team officers are carrying out regular welfare checks."

Cuckooing happens when criminals take over someone’s home, often using it as a base for drug dealing, storing weapons, or other illegal activity. They typically target vulnerable people, such as those struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or financial hardship.

Offenders may initially seem friendly but can quickly become intimidating and controlling, leaving victims feeling trapped in their own homes.

Signs that someone may be a victim of cuckooing include changes in mood, routine, or appearance, withdrawal from friends or neighbours, and an increase in visitors or antisocial behaviour around a property.

Residents might also notice drug-related items such as syringes, foil, or cling film nearby.

Anyone with concerns about a person who may be vulnerable to exploitation or cuckooing is urged to contact police.