This is a criminal offence. Please report it to the police immediately.
Cannabis
We often receive reports about cannabis use in and around our homes and communities. Whilst cannabis use isn’t the easiest issues to deal with, we know it can have an impact on our customers.
Drug possession, dealing (supply), production and importation are criminal offences. If you believe someone is using, producing or supplying cannabis, please report your concerns directly to the police. Please obtain a reference number, write it down and contact us to provide it to us.
What we do when you report cannabis use to us
In all reported cases of cannabis use, we will need to speak to the alleged user and ask them to stop any usage, explain the impact and remind them of the law and their tenancy agreement. We will also need to ensure the issue has been reported to the police.
If cannabis is proven to be being used or kept in the home, we will take reasonable and proportionate legal or non-legal action to address this bearing in mind the risks, vulnerabilities, support needs of those involved, and the impact on the customers who have reported it and the community.
Where it is not clear where the cannabis use is – we will ask customers to continue to keep both us and the police informed of any concerns.
Cuckooing and county lines
You may hear the phrases ‘cuckooing’ or ‘county lines’. Cuckooing is when gangs takeover a home to use it as a base for their illegal activities. They specifically befriend and target vulnerable people for this as they may be isolated, lonely and easy to manipulate or intimidate. County lines is when phone lines are used to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. When doing this, gangs exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.
Our Locality and Neighbourhood teams using their knowledge about the homes and areas we work in to spot the signs of this kind of abuse and exploitation, particularly of drug gangs exploiting vulnerable people and young people.
If you believe this activity is happening where you live, please report your concerns directly to the police.