The Government has announced that it will be introducing two separate offences via its Crime and Policing Bill. The specific offences are ‘Child Criminal Exploitation’ (CCE) and “Cuckooing” (or Home Takeover).
The bill will criminalise the use of a child by an adult for the purpose of criminal activity. It will carry with it a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. A common example of CCE is in the form of county lines, where gangs exploit young people for the purpose of drug dealing.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, 15,750 episodes of need where CCE was identified as a concern were recorded. In the same period, 10,180 episodes were recorded of need where children being part of a street of organised crime gang was identified as a concern. By introducing the standalone CCE offence, the Government aims to target adults who seek to groom and exploit children into criminal activity, and increase the opportunities for them to be identified.
The bill will also introduce the offence of Cuckooing (Home Takeover). This is the act of taking control of another person’s property without consent for the purpose of criminal activity. Significantly, the offence holds that a person cannot consent to control of their property if they: are under the age of 18, do not have capacity to give consent, do not have sufficient information to consent, or have withdrawn their consent. The offence will carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Commenting on the Bill, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented:
“As part of our Plan for Change, we are introducing these two offences to properly punish those who prey on [children and victims of cuckooing], ensure victims are properly protected and prevent these often-hidden crimes from occurring in the first place.”
Southwell & Partners specialise in advising victims of forced criminality and cuckooing.
