Police warn human trafficking is rising in Scotland

Police Scotland is visiting a range of rural businesses across much of the east of Scotland to ensure firms are not being infiltrated by traffickers.

The force says trafficking is increasing in Scotland.

Its officers started a fortnight's worth of visits from yesterday in Aberdeenshire, Fife and Tayside, as well as in Dumfries and Galloway in the south of the country.

They are being supported by colleagues from the National Human Trafficking Unit.

The force says while restrictions remain in place amid the coronavirus pandemic, many urban based businesses usually associated with labour exploitation are closed.

But intelligence suggests traffickers are diversifying and could be targeting the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, where demand for labour is usually higher at this time of year.

Visits by officers are being made to farms, fisheries, food processing plants and other similar firms, with the intention to speak with owners.

As well as raising awareness, officers are also making sure businesses are not being infiltrated by traffickers and people employed are are not victims of exploitation.

Police are also using the engagement to increase awareness of human trafficking and give information as to how these industries can support them and its partners to tackle modern slavery and labour exploitation.

Head of Police Scotland's National Human Trafficking Unit Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi said: "The nefarious activities of human traffickers continue to pose a threat, even during this pandemic period.

"Organised crime groups will exploit any and all opportunities for financial gain, including labour exploitation and as such we are taking this opportunity to reach out to rural communities across Scotland to raise awareness of trafficking.

"Police Scotland will continue to work with our network of contacts in the UK, with international law enforcement and other agencies to rid our country of trafficking and all forms of exploitation.

"If you have any information about human trafficking or labour exploitation then please contact us via 101, or you can report anonymously via the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or online via their website at https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/

"Alternatively you can report anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."