Minister lays bare the true cost of crime in Scotland
The true impact of Scotland’s 164 serious and organised crime gangs will be revealed tomorrow.
Justice minister Michael Matheson will unveil the results of research examining how organised crime affects Scotland’s cities, towns and villages.
A National Crime Agency report published last month revealed 164 known organized crime groups in Scotland with more than 3000 people involved.
While the number of crime gangs was falling, the risk they posed was increasing due to a rise in shootings and tit-for-tat feuds.
Mr Matheson said police are moving to curb the violence, adding: “Feuds spilling on to the streets is unacceptable and Police Scotland is taking action.”
The gangs are involved in everything from selling drugs to trading counterfeit goods, and environmental crime – such as the illegal dumping of waste – fraud and extortion.
Some groups are also involved in human trafficking, with concerns over businesses such as nail bars and hand car washes being used to exploit victims.
It is estimated serious organised crime costs the Scottish economy about £2 billion a year and, while tighter financial regulation has hindered money-laundering, many major criminals are still managing to cleanse their dirty fortunes.
Around a quarter of people in Scotland think it is a serious issue, but that figure rises to 46% for those living in the poorest neighbourhoods.
The research will be discussed at a meeting of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, which includes a range of organisations such as Police Scotland, Crown Office, the National Crime Agency, Scotland’s local authorities and the NHS.