Claims children aged 12 being sold for sex

Police are to investigate claims children as young as 12 are routinely being sold for sex in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

Locals in the Govanhill area of Glasgow told the Times newspaper of being offered Roma children or being approached outside bars by youngsters themselves.

The paper said in September 2015 Crosshill and Govanhill Community Council recorded in minutes that an “issue had been r aised regarding child prostitution within Govanhill” and children were seen to be wandering the streets at night.

Police said they have “no information or intelligence to substantiate the concerns” but they will carry out a full investigation into the claims. Residents of Govanhill – which has the highest Roma population in Scotland – said more needed to be done to tackle the problem.

Olive Arens, chief executive of Up-2-Us, a charity which works with vulnerable teenagers, told the Times: “The sexual exploitation of Roma children in Govanhill is a longstanding issue and has been for 10 years or more.

“You can see the activity. It is children and adults making deals in huddles. It is very clear what was taking place but nothing ever happened to stop it.”

Chief superintendent Brian McInulty, Police Scotland’s area commander for Glasgow, said: “Any suggestion that any of the agencies charged with protecting children in Glasgow would not take that responsibility seriously is simply not true.

“That said, we will never be complacent when it comes to the safety of children and whilst we have no information or intelligence to substantiate the concerns described in the article, we will carry out a full investigation into the claims.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Liam McArthur said the claims such activity is happening are “sickening” and has called for an emergency statement to Holyrood.

Glasgow MSP Annie Wells described the reports as “shocking and heartbreaking”.

MSP Liam McArthur has called for an emergency statement on the claims.