Organised crime probe targets 12 nurseries involved in money laundering

Detectives have said that they believe the businesses, which have not been named, may be laundering cash from drugs and extortion rackets by creating 'ghost children', who show up on the books, and whose parents pay in cash, but in reality do not exist.

Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton of Strathclyde police told a Scottish newspaper that daycare offers lucrative opportunities for 'clean skins' associated with crime gangs -including wives, girlfriends, mothers and daughters - because of the nature of the industry.

'We believe the whole service industry is vulnerable to organised criminals trying to launder money, whether that is the security industry, taxis, car washes, tanning salons or children's day nurseries.'

He added that it was impossible for the police to verify how many children are actually attending a nursery every day.

Last month, Strathclyde police and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) raided a play centre and nursery in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, as well as two houses in Lanarkshire linked to the nursery's owners.

Detective Chief Superintendent Allan Moffat, head of investigations group at SCDEA, said, 'We can confirm that three premises have been searched as a result of an SCDEA investigation. 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 profit and they will use a variety of techniques and tactics to support and conceal their activity.'