Play centre searched by police in Motherwell

POLICE have searched a children's play centre as part of an investigation into an organised crime group's finances.

Officers searched the indoor play centre in Motherwell on Thursday evening after the business had closed.

At the same time, two other properties were searched at Monkton Brae, in Chryston, Glasgow, and Sandford Road, in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire.

No-one had been arrested yesterday following the searches but a number of financial documents and records were seized by police.

Police refused to name the centre which was searched.

The operation was launched by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) and included officers from Strathclyde Police.

Detective Chief Superintendent Allan Moffat, head of investigations group at the SCDEA, said: "We can confirm that three premises have been searched.

"I would like to make it clear to parents that while I am not in a position to provide details of our investigation, we do not have any concerns regarding the welfare and safety of children. Our investigation is strictly related to financial management.

"It is well-known by law enforcement that those involved in serious organised crime will exploit every opportunity to further their power and profit, and they will use a variety of techniques and tactics to support and conceal their activity. This includes the use of legitimate businesses as a front for their criminality.

"As an agency, we use a variety of tactics and techniques to detect and disrupt the activities of serious organised crime groups, and we will exploit the full capability of the POCA legislation in the support of prosecutions against major criminals.

"We will use whatever tools are available to identify these criminals and bring them to justice."