Four people charged over human trafficking in Fife.

Premises targeted across the central belt as part of Operation Risbalit

Four people charged by police as part of a joint operation to tackle human trafficking in Fife and the central belt have been freed.

The three men, aged 41, 24 and 23, and a 25-year-old woman were arrested after detectives raided premises in Inverkeithing and Cowdenbeath, as well as Alloa and Glasgow.

All four were due to appear at Kirkcaldy and Falkirk Sheriff Courts on Wednesday, but a spokesperson for the Crown Office said they had been freed pending further police inquiries.

In all, six premises were targeted by officers from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit based in Edinburgh as part of Operation Risbalit.

The operation also brought in members of the East Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and Financial Investigation Unit, as well as partners from Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI); Edinburgh Social Work; the National Human Trafficking Unit; the National Crime Agency; British

Transport Police; ScotRail; Network Rail and the Crown Office, who played vital roles in gathering evidence.

In addition to the targeted arrests, visits were carried out at businesses in Bathgate, Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh and Stirling, led by Immigration Enforcement and supported by police officers.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn, from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Extensive inquiries were undertaken by Police Scotland and supported by a number of other agencies and this culminated in the arrest of four people, who have been reported to the procurator fiscal.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers and partners involved in this operation for their support and dedication throughout.

“Identifying human trafficking and supporting victims of such offences is a top priority for Police Scotland.

“Operation Risbalit is an Edinburghled inquiry, but our officers will continue to liaise with key counterparts both nationally within Scotland and the UK.

“I want the public to be assured that any report of human trafficking will be treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Anyone who has concerns about someone in their community who may have been trafficked, or who is a victim, is urged to call the police on 101 or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Identifying human trafficking is a top priority for Police Scotland. DETECTIVE INSPECTOR KEITH FAIRBAIRN