A vulnerable individual was 'bullied' – or 'cuckooed' – into allowing their home to be used for distributing drugs in Trafford.

Police attended the address on February 15 alongside colleagues from Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust (THT), less than an hour after a report from a member of the public.

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On arrival, a man in his 20s tried to run from the back of the address, but he was chased and detained. 

He has been arrested on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs and of an offensive weapon, and he has been released on conditional bail.

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The vulnerable individual was safeguarded, police said.

Cuckooing is a term used for the actions of County Lines criminals who use the home of a vulnerable individual to store drugs or other illegal items.

Detective Inspector Jennifer Reeve, of Greater Manchester Police Trafford, said: "This was a rapid response to protect a vulnerable person and to act against the individuals who we believe have forced their way into his property.

"In less than an hour, officers assessed and gathered the information, arrived at the property and arrested a man but most importantly safeguarded a vulnerable person.

"I want to take this opportunity to encourage anyone else in the community who may be in this situation, or believes someone to be a victim of it, to please report it either in person to someone you know and trust, to a police officer or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously.

"Be assured that this is the rapid and positive action that we will take to protect a vulnerable person."

There is a list of signs of cuckooing to look out for on gmp.police.uk.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or use the LiveChat on gmp.police.uk.

People can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.