TRAFFICKING victims in Scotland have helped the country’s top brass develop new measures to crack down exploitation.

The Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate have all pledged to tackle human traffickers and help victims of abuse in a new strategy published today.

Over the last year, 150 people were identified as victims of trafficking or modern slavery in Scotland, including 10 discovered by Glasgow City Council.

A further 12 people were identified and referred to the National Crime Agency by Glasgow’s Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA).

As exclusively reported by the Evening Times, police have been trawling escort websites to identify potential victims or trafficking, and earlier this year they raided four houses in Govanhill and arrested suspected traffickers.

Five people were arrested and charged in relation to trafficking offences as a result of the operation Synapsis, which took place in the city in February.

Officers also busted Glasgow car washes last year, identifying potential Eastern European victims of labour exploitation.

Now the Scottish Government has announced further plans to help tackle human trafficking, including more training for professionals and nation-wide awareness campaigns.

Their plans were developed with the help of victims, who told their harrowing stories to officials creating the new plans.

According to the new Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy, anyone who is likely to, or may, encounter victims of human trafficking are to be given extra training to help spot the signs and refer victims on to services that can help them.

This includes local authorities and charities who work with vulnerable people, or those new to the country.

Part of the Government’s mission is to “identify perpetrators and disrupt their activity” as well as hone in on the situations and conditions which encourage trafficking and exploitation,

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said: “Developing the Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy has included listening to victims themselves, who have provided a unique insight into the physical and psychological damage caused by trafficking.

“We have emphasised the need to let people know that there is support available for victims, wherever they are recovered in Scotland.

“Exposing and eradicating these horrific crimes remain high on the agenda, and following the passing of legislation to create an offence of human trafficking with a possible life sentence attached, I am pleased that Police Scotland and the Crown Office will be able apply for new orders to disrupt traffickers’ activity.

“The trafficking and exploitation of adults and children is happening in Scotland today and we all have a role in bringing it to an end.”

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston,who leads Police Scotland’s Human Trafficking Unit, described human trafficking as a “hidden crime” and said victims often do not realise they have been exploited.

He said: “Communities are key in helping us identify people who may be the victims of trafficking and exploitation. We are asking people to be aware and to report to us or our partners if they suspect someone may be the victim of traffickers.

“ Police Scotland will use all tactics at its disposal including working with partners to tackle trafficking and deter those who seek to enslave others.”

Bronagh Andrew of TARA said: “We are pleased to see the identification and disruption of perpetrators clearly reflected in the Scottish Government strategy. We believe this will be a useful tool to further combat Human Trafficking in Scotland and promote Scotland as a hostile environment for perpetrators of this serious breach of human rights and crimes against people.

“Women that have been supported by the service highlighted, when consulted on this area of the strategy, that we need to explore the links between their sexual exploitation and our domestic sex industry to disrupt and challenge the demand.”