Romford man arrested after drug dealers take over home of vulnerable male

The pair have been released on conditional bail (credit: Essex Police)

An 18-year-old man from Romford has been arrested after a vulnerable male reported his home had been taken over by drug dealers.

Also known as ‘cuckooing’, substances were reportedly being sold from the man’s house in the Blackshots area of Grays.

The victim was also assaulted, threatened and had his phone stolen.

Officers from Operation Raptor team are safeguarding the victim.

A second man, 25, from Shoreditch was also arrested on Friday for the same offences – on suspicion of assault, making threats to kill and theft.

The pair have been released on conditional bail until later this month while enquiries continue

PC Mason Doyle said: “Criminals are known to target vulnerable people and take over their homes to use them as a base for drug dealing.

“I’d ask anyone who feels this is happening to them or someone they know to please tell us, so we can make sure they are safe and deal with those who are exploiting them.”

If you are a victim, please call police on 999 or report online and use the ‘Live Chat’ button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, use the textphone service 18000.

Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org please call police on 101.

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