Police serve closure order on Rhyl home due to ‘cuckooing’ concerns

Police have served a three-month closure order on a home in Rhyl due to concerns over it being used as a base for drug dealing.

Officers took action regarding the property Ffynnongroew Road after the person living there is believed to have been a target of the practice of “cuckooing”.

Cuckooing occurs when County Lines gangs exploit vulnerable people by using their home to sell drugs.

The law states that it is a criminal offence to enter or attempt to take possession of a property which is the subject of a closure order.

People who breach the order risk being punished with a heavy fine or even being jailed for up to 51 weeks if they are successfully convicted.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “We actively identify and look to safeguard people who are vulnerable to cuckooing.

“When the police become aware about this type of situation, one option is to issue a closure order on the property.

“Earlier this week, we served a 48 hour closure notice on such a property in Ffynnongroew Rd, Rhyl.

“This morning (Wednesday, 3 July), local officers successfully applied to the magistrates court and a three-month closure order was granted, meaning that access is prohibited to the property to anyone except the occupant for that time period.”