Hundreds of kids trafficked to Scotland and forced into crime, work & sex abuse

KIDS as young as two have been trafficked to Scotland and forced into crime, under-age work and sex abuse.

Police figures show at least 263 child victims were smuggled into the country from 21 different nations since the start of 2019.

Of those, 215 were from Vietnam, with others from Romania, Iraq, Albania, Somalia, Syria, Thailand and Turkey.

Data released under freedom of information shows 132 were in the 16 age group, followed by 80 aged 17, 39 aged 15 and three aged 14 — with the youngest child coming to officers’ attention being just two years old.

Cops revealed 23 had been sexually exploited, while 94 were forced into criminality and 90 were put to work.

Police Scotland said human trafficking was “happening here and now” in this country and urged people to report cases.

Last night Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram said: “It is rapidly evolving across the UK.

“Human trafficking is also global, which is why we work with partners nationally and internationally to target and disrupt organised crime gangs and bring them to justice.”

We told last week how many victims are tricked by job offers and the prospect of a better life.

But they end up working in cannabis farms or being forced into shoplifting prostitution.