WATCH: Police to investigate claims children are being 'sold for sex' in Govanhill

A newspaper report has found girls as young as 12 are being sold for sex in one of Glasgow's most deprived areas.

The Times says locals claim that Roma children are being forced into prostitution by relatives in Govanhill.

Residents also believe authorities are turning a blind eye on the practices because of a fear of being branded racist, similar to situations which emerged in Rotherham and Rochdale.

They told the newspaper instances of abuse had been reported, but was dismissed by a charity as an 'urban myth'.

Police Scotland told Clyde News there are no current cases of child sexual exploitation, but will launch an investigation:

In response to the story in the Times, Detective Superintendent Alwyn Bell, Greater Glasgow Division Public Protection told us: "Glasgow Child Protection Committee and the numerous statutory and voluntary agencies represented have robust, well-established child protection procedures.

"CSE is an integral part of these procedures and the identification of risk factors associated with CSE and subsequent recognised practice with which such risks can be understood and mitigated on a partnership basis is well established.

"These procedures have been tested previously with a number of CSE enquiries having been jointly undertaken and reported to COPFS.

"CSE is a constant threat within our communities and an area all partners are alert to. As a partnership, we constantly review our procedures in an attempt to continuously improve our services and learn from good practice elsewhere.

"This has seen the introduction of a multi-agency CSE Steering Group within which those children at significant risk of CSE will be assessed to ensure effective safeguarding, sharing of information, prevention strategies and enforcement opportunities are all explored and maximised.

"Child protection is everyone's responsibility and as a partnership we actively encourage our local communities to report anything that appears suspicious or gives cause for concern."

The area the report focuses on falls within the First Minister's Holyrood Constituency.

A spokesperson for Nicola Sturgeon said: “These are deeply concerning claims, and anyone with evidence of suspected criminality should inform the police.

“The First Minister is closely engaged with issues in the area – her constituency office is situated in the heart of Govanhill and she holds regular surgeries and meetings for local people.

“Govanhill, like many areas, faces specific challenges and it is important that all sections of the community are included and involved in addressing those challenges."

In response, the Scottish Conservatives called for an inquiry into the allegations.

Scottish Conservative Glasgow MSP Annie Wells commented: "It's shocking and heart-breaking to see reports that children are being sold for sex in Govanhill; that concerned community organisations have known about it, yet been unable to do anything about it.

"We should be doing our utmost to protect children from all cultures and learn from the mistakes that were made in Rotherham, not burying our heads in the sand.

"The Scottish Government must set up an independent inquiry to establish all the facts of this case as a matter of urgency.

"The children of Govanhill have been condemned to poverty and neglect by decades of Labour and SNP politicians.

"Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government should hang their heads in shame at the decay and deprivation that is all too evident in Govanhill.”

And the Scottish Liberal Democrats also voiced concern, saying there should be an emergency statement at the Scottish Parliament.

The party's justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: "The claims that this activity is happening are sickening. No child should ever be put in such an awful position.

"I have today asked Scottish ministers to make an emergency statement to Parliament. We urgently need to know what reports have been received by any of the agencies involved in protecting these children and what action was taken as a result.

"We know Scotland is not immune from the types of atrocious abuse and exploitation that stunned areas such as Rochdale and Rotherham. There is no room for complacency. It is essential that the Scottish Government and its agencies immediately take action to get to the bottom of this and protect any child that may be at risk."