Cops cracking down on organised crime gangs
Illegal empires span across the whole of Ayrshire
Five serious and organised crime gangs are operating in Ayrshire, police have warned.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said that the dangerous criminals were a “clear threat” to the pub trade and the “legitimate economy” in Ayrshire.
In a report to South Ayrshire Council’s licensing board, he said that crooks launder money through local firms.
And Detective Chief Inspector Alan Sommerville, Ayrshire CID said the police “closely monitor” their activity.
The illegal empires span across the whole of Ayrshire.
The report submitted to council said: “At this current time there are five serious and organised crime groups being managed by Ayrshire Division, with some of these groups having a known interest in a business requiring some form of licence to operate.”
Explaining police tactics used to target the sophisticated criminality, the report said: “Officers in South Ayrshire continue to carry out targeted premises visits to ensure that all licence conditions are being complied with.”
Detective Chief Inspector Sommerville said: “Those involved in serious and organised crime believe that they can operate under the radar without fear of being caught. They believe that they are above the law, but that is not the case.
“In Ayrshire, we closely monitor any activity which we believe is linked to serious and organised crime and we work hard to disrupt and dismantle these groups.”
He added: “We liaise closely with our partners and other law enforcement agencies, sharing intelligence and information in our efforts to target and identify those involved.
“In the last year we have also been working closely with all three local authorities in Ayrshire as well as Trading Standards.”
The number of criminal groups in Ayrshire has plunged from nine in 2016 but police did not confirm why the numbers have changed when asked.
Detective Chief Inspector Sommerville added: “Information we receive from the public and the local community is vital in tackling serious and organised criminals.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we are never complacent when it comes to tackling this issue, everything that can be done is being done.
“With the continued support and co-operation of the public we will continue to disrupt and detect those involved.”
They believe they’re above the law ... that’s not the case