POLICE in Renfrewshire have been targeting serious and organised crime in a four-week crackdown.
Crime afflicting the area includes counterfeit goods, violent crime and intimidation, plus firearms offences which are estimated to cost Scotland £2 billion a year.
Divisional commander, chief superintendent John Harkin, said: "This particular pha
se involved additional officers taking to the streets, in a number of targeted operations, to disrupt and deter criminal networks causing significant harm within communities, through their involvement in serious violence and crime.
"To put this in a local context, over the course of this force-wide operation, officers in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde — working with officers from the security industry authority, the UK border agency, and the department for work and pensions — have arrested 14 individuals in relation to multiple offences under the private security act 2001 and immigration legislation.
"In addition, we have gathered a vast amount of intelligence on criminal enterprises operating in the area.
"This was a focused, one-month initiative as part of the ongoing campaign against violence.
"Nevertheless, here in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde we will continue to visit licensed premises, manned guarding operations and other outlets we know are linked to organised criminal networks.
"They are on our radar and will be targeted relentlessly until we put them out of business and sequester their ill-gotten gains through the proceeds of crime act."
Across the Strathclyde force area, 295 people were arrested
and 23 firearms taken off the street.
Drugs with an estimated street value of £500,000 were recovered and cash amounting to £105,000 was seized.
Officers intercepted 300 vehicles and 43 were seized, they visited 230 licensed premises and 111 security sites, with more than 80 security staff checked and eight arrested for immigration offences.
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