A FIFE police officer who moved to Scotland from Poland at the age of seven is now acting as a vital link between the police and the region’s growing Polish community.

Anna Friel (32) arrived in Fife with just a single suitcase and not a word of English.

But 25 years on, she is a true Fifer, working as a community officer with Fife Constabulary and raising two young daughters with her husband.

She has not lost her Polish roots and language however, and with the region proving a popular destination for migrant workers her skills are being called upon more and more often.

According to one estimate, there are over 10,000 Poles in Fife, mainly in Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy where Anna is based.

“My mum and dad came to Kirkcaldy during the time of communism in Poland,” she said.

“Now more Poles are coming here to earn money and have a better standard of living.

“I find I’m being called to provide translations or to explain the differences between Scottish and Polish law maybe three or four times a week—that’s definitely increasing.”

Anna’s skills as a police officer and translator were called upon by Tayside Police following the recent death of Lithuanian migrant worker Jolanta Bledaite, whose head and hands were found on the beach at Arbroath.

“Tayside Police had requested help and I went to Angus following the death,” she said.

“I spoke to Polish witnesses and helped the Tayside officers.”

Last summer, Fife Police, in partnership with NHS Fife and Fife Council, ran a series of roadshows in east Fife aimed at migrant workers working mainly in tourism and agriculture.

From a police perspective, the roadshows were about breaking down barriers and misconceptions of how Scotland is policed.

Being bilingual, Anna was key in getting the message across.