The head of Police Scotland’s specialist human trafficking unit has asked people in rural areas to watch for signs of exploitation during lockdown.
There are concerns that labour shortages in agriculture and food production could present an opportunity for trafficking gangs.
Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi, said: “The nefarious activities of human traffickers continue to pose a threat, even during this pandemic period.
“Labour exploitation is an issue of significant concern, this includes people being trafficked and exploited in the food production industry.
“We are taking every opportunity to work with partners and to reach out to communities across Scotland to raise awareness of trafficking,” he added.
His warning came after Rural Watch, the partnership organisation tasked with reducing crime outside Scotland’s towns and cities, circulated an email to communities asking them to be on the look out.
Mark Armstrong, community support officer, asked people to look out for tell-tale signs, including new groups of people waiting to be collected or dropped off, houses of multiple occupancy where potential victims may be living or a sudden increase in homelessness.
He said: “With restrictions on activity and movement being in place, the Unit recognises there are fewer opportunities for potential victims of human trafficking to be reported to the police and partner agencies.
“This raises concerns about reaching out to those who are most vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking as the current situation will see demand increasing for the hiring of labour in the agricultural, delivery, food production and retail sectors.
“This is why the Unit are asking all of Scotland’s communities to be vigilant to the possibility that people are being exploited and to help them tackle it.”
Human trafficking officials at Dundee City, Perth and Kinross, Fife and Angus Councils said they were not aware of any new incidents that had come to light during the lockdown period.
All stressed they had robust systems in place to deal with any threat.
A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Our multi-agency approach to public protection has been strengthened during lockdown and there have been to date no reports of suspected human trafficking.
“All partners remain vigilant in monitoring the local situation,” she added.
