Crackdown on ‘sickening trade’ in trafficking

A total of 11 potential victims, including six children, were discovered

Potential victims of human trafficking have been discovered in Fife and Perth as part of a national crackdown.

In total, 11 potential victims of human trafficking, including six children, were discovered in the operation.

They were found after a swoop by 430 Police Scotland officers, in conjunction with 50 colleagues from HM Revenue and Customs, Immigration Enforcement, British Transport Police and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

One person has been detained for human trafficking offences and two others arrested for immigration offences by Police Scotland, with an additional 12 arrested by Immigration Enforcement.

Of those arrested under immigration laws, a 34-year-old Turkish man in Kirkcaldy and a 28-year-old Vietnamese man in Dundee, were found to have entered the country illegally.

A 33-year-old Vietnamese man found in Perth was found to have overstayed his visa.

Five adults and six children under 18 who displayed indicators of trafficking were found working in nail bars during the operation and are now being offered support.

Officials visited 221 premises across Scotland including farms, beaches, car washes and nail bars.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “Human trafficking is a sickening trade in vulnerable people and it is happening now, in Scotland, to adults and children.

He urged people to be vigilant and contact police if they suspect someone is being exploited and may have been trafficked.