Police remove 'multiple people' from address in Hazelwood Close Hitchin following reports of 'cuckooing'

Over the past few weeks there have been multiple reports from members of the public of ASB and potential cuckooing within an address in Hazelwood Close in Hitchin.

Officers received information that there was consistent noisy behaviour, lots of comings and goings throughout the night and signs of drug use.

Following these reports and police attendance on previous occasions, PC Nathanael Allen from the Safer Neighbourhood Team liaised with the housing association in order to enter the property and check on the wellbeing of the occupant.

Police said: "Upon entry, officers removed multiple people to protect the tenant from possible harm and Community Protection Warnings have been detailed.

"We will continue to work with housing associations to check those who are suspected to be victims of cuckooing."

Cuckooing is where the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by a criminal in order to use it to deal, store or take drugs, as a place for them to live, or to financially abuse the tenant.

If you believe that someone you know is the victim of cuckooing, please report it as soon as possible, calling 101.