Four people arrested as part of nationwide operation against human trafficking

Four people were arrested by police as part of a joint operation across Scotland, including Fife, to tackle alleged human trafficking.

Operation Risbalit resulted in enforcement taking place at six premises nationwide, including in Cowdenbeath and Inverkeithing.

Premises in Alloa and Glasgow were also targeted by officers.

Police have released three men, aged 23, 24 and 41, and a 25-year-old woman pending further inquiries.

Detectives from Edinburgh's Public Protection Unit led the operation and were assisted by colleagues from the East Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and Financial Investigation Unit.

Other key partners came from Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations and other organisations such as the National Human Trafficking Unit, National Crime Agency and ScotRail.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn from Edinburgh's Public Protection Unit said: "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 Edinburgh-led inquiry, but our officers will continue to liaise with key counterparts both nationally within Scotland and the UK."