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Child exploitation and cuckooing to become criminal offences under new bill

The Crime and Policing Bill will make child exploitation and cuckooing specific criminal offences. The bill will also introduce CCE prevention orders to restrict individuals at risk of exploiting children for criminal purposes. The legislation aims to protect victims and prevent these crimes from occurring.

The UK government is introducing legislation to make child criminal exploitation (CCE) and “cuckooing” specific criminal offences. The Crime and Policing Bill, set to be introduced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, will also create CCE Prevention Orders to restrict those suspected of exploiting children.

Yvette Cooper said exploitation like this was "sickening", adding that legislation would ensure victims were "properly protected and prevent these often hidden crimes from occurring in the first place".

"It is vital we do everything in our power to eradicate it from our streets," she said.

What is cuckooing?

Cuckooing is when criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person—often someone with mental health issues, a disability, or substance dependency—to use it for illegal activities such as drug dealing, sex work, or weapons storage. Victims are frequently threatened, assaulted, or coerced into compliance.

Currently, these cases are prosecuted under existing laws like assault or modern slavery, but gaps in legislation mean not all offenders can be charged effectively.

Tackling hidden crimes

The previous government had proposed similar measures, but the bill stalled. Dr Laura Bainbridge from Leeds University welcomed the bill but noted that cuckooing cases can be complex—sometimes, perpetrators are themselves forced into the crime by gangs.

New legal framework

The bill targets those who groom children for criminal activities, including county lines drug trafficking. In 2023-24, around 14,500 children were identified as at risk, though officials say the real number is likely higher.

Key penalties under the bill:

  • Cuckooing: Up to five years in prison.
  • Child criminal exploitation: Up to 10 years.
  • CCE Prevention Orders: Breaching these orders would also be a criminal offence with a five-year penalty.

Dame Rachel de Souza, the UK’s Children’s Commissioner, supported the measures, highlighting that exploited children are often punished rather than protected.

Further measures

The bill will also introduce a new offence for spiking, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years.

For more details, read the full report on BBC News.