POLICE have disrupted a number of criminal gangs in Fife to the point their threat has all but disappeared. 

The crackdown on their illegal activities, including drug seizures, proved so successful that the risk they pose has been downgraded. 

A Police Scotland report to Fife Council said: “Each of these tactics is aimed at reducing the capabilities of SOC gangs to operate in Fife and target their finances.”

Fife Division targeted businesses owned by Serious Organised Crime (SOC) gang members and removed Pay Point systems and National Lottery facilities, as well as barring some individuals from becoming landlords. 

And it’s paid off as the report added: “Through analysis, each gang in Fife is given a ‘threat score’, representing the risk they pose to members of our communities. 

“Directed activities to deter and destabilise the effectiveness and capabilities of a number of them has seen their threat scores reduce significantly, with consideration now being given to archiving some groups.”

Disrupting the drugs trade is another tactic to fight organised crime and, between April and September, 25.74kg of cannabis, 166 cannabis plants, 85.2g of heroin, 328g of cocaine, 5500 diazepam tablets and 1.12kg of amphetamine was seized by police.