Becoming cuckooed: conceptualising the relationship between disability, home takeovers and criminal exploitation

Macdonald, Stephen J.; Donovan, Catherine; Clayton, John; Husband, Marc

Abstract

This article explores the phenomenon whereby disabled people’s homes are being occupied (i.e. cuckooed) by local perpetrators and/or county lines organised criminal groups. This study employs a qualitative biographical methodology that collects data from disabled people who have been victimised this way and practitioners who have worked with them. The findings illustrate that social isolation, loneliness and a lack of community services can create a space where the exploitation of disabled people can flourish. We conclude by demonstrating that cuckooing predominantly occurs at a local level, perpetrated by local people, rather than by county lines organised criminal groups; that, in fact, local cuckooing can predate county lines takeovers.

Citation

Macdonald, S. J., Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Husband, M. (2024). Becoming cuckooed: conceptualising the relationship between disability, home takeovers and criminal exploitation. Disability and Society, 39(2), 485-505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2071680

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2022
• Online Publication Date: May 4, 2022
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: May 11, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 24, 2022
• Journal: Disability and Society
• Print ISSN: 0968-7599
• Electronic ISSN: 1360-0508
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 485-505
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2071680
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1207641