Security firms in Capital are linked to Glasgow gangsters

THREE private security firms with links to Glasgow gangsters have begun working in Edinburgh, it emerged today.

Detectives say the rogue companies have already secured contracts in and around the Capital.

Officers are now working to ensure the criminals cannot gain a foothold in the city's security industry. Edinburgh's new Serious

Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has been tasked with combating the gangsters.

The unit is working with the city council to ensure that contracts paid with public money are not awarded to firms which are "front" operations for drug- dealing and money-laundering.

Detective Chief Inspector David Gordon said: "At least three businesses based in the west coast of Scotland currently have security contracts in the Edinburgh area.

"These companies are of interest to Strathclyde Police, and we're liaising with officers from that force to identify whether money from these contracts is being funnelled back to those involved in organised crime. We're also working to ensure that public funds are not being given to companies that are fronts for organised crime.

"That means ensuring that the local authority, as well as private contractors, make the necessary checks that money is not falling into the hands of criminals."

SOCU has also been working alongside the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to ensure that door stewards at city clubs and pubs are not provided by the firms linked to organised crime.

The Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) is meeting with construction firms and other private businesses across Scotland to relay information on the identities of security firms with criminal ties. Police said they had not identified any security businesses based in Edinburgh operating as fronts for organised crime.

SOCU also want to know whether any builders have been extorted into hiring a security outfit.

DCI Gordon added: "We will speak to private contractors to determine whether there is any coercion in hiring security firms. So far, we have found no evidence of that in Edinburgh, but we will continue to look at it.

"We're working in partnership with the SIA to ensure that security firms are operating as legitimate companies."

An SIA spokeswoman said: "The SIA is committed to working with our partners in Lothian and Borders Police to target our activities at rogue security providers and unlicensed security staff."

A city council spokesman said: "We are working with the police to make sure that public money does not go to any company that may have criminal connections."