MSP Gil Paterson's full statement on human trafficking incident in Montrose Street, Clydebank

MSP Gil Paterson's statement has been partly published today's Clydebank Post, on the human trafficking incident on Montrose Street. A Vietnamese teenager has been picked up by police who is understood to be a victim of trafficking.

MSP Gil Paterson said: “As a former board member of Rape Crisis in central Scotland for 11 years and having set up the first cross party group on men’s violence against women and children in the Scottish Parliament, I am very much aware of this dreadful trade.

“For a whole host of reasons, it is not an easy crime to detect but police forces and authorities Europe-wide are putting in substantial effort to crack down on it. This arrest on Montrose Street and others are a product of this action.

“The Scottish Government would like to have a more active role in terms of the law to stop traffickers getting into our country, but immigration controls and border security are a reserved matter handled by the UK Government.

“In saying that, the Scottish Government works very closely with Police Scotland, which has of late been on a drive to hunt down these despicable traffickers and rescue its victims.

“This evil trade has become ever more sophisticated so it is essential the public, if they have any suspicions they can contact the police.

“I would also like to thank and commend all of those involved in tackling this horrific crime — which is very, very dangerous undertaking.”