A MAN was removed from a property and cash and mobile phones seized during investigations into "cuckooing."

The man was arrested in Poole and his car searched when police joined forces with the specialist Bournemouth Climate Team, who protect people who are vulnerable to exploitation.

Cuckooing is the process where drug dealers from out of county target vulnerable people who have their own property.

Once they have contact with these vulnerable people they will then exploit them and use their property to sell drugs from. They will often use coercion and threats to keep the person doing as they wish and ultimately taking over control of that persons home.

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Welfare checks were carried out at a property in Poole on Friday night and the man was detained.

As part of the investigation a vehicle was also linked and entry was forced to carry out a search.

A spokesman for Poole police said: "We will always take robust action against such activity to safeguard and protect some of our most vulnerable people, and will not hesitate to pursue the perpetrators."

Anyone concerned about a person who is at risk of cuckooing is asked to call police on 101, or 999 if there is an immeidate concern for someone's safety.