Inquiry into child prostitution claims

The children have been sent away from Dundee

Tayside Police are investigating allegations that children in the care of Dundee City Council social workers were involved in prostitution.

A man has been charged in the course of the inquiry and has been reported to the procurator fiscal, but a police spokesman said the investigation was continuing.

Specialist officers from Tayside Police family protection unit were working closely with staff from the social work department, the spokesman added.

A number of referrals have been made to the reporter of the children's panel - the Scottish equivalent of youth courts.

'Places of safety'

The children at the centre of the investigation are understood to have been sent away from Dundee while it takes place.

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: "The social work department is working closely with Tayside Police on this issue.

"A number of young people are in places of safety outside Dundee and as the police investigation is continuing, the council cannot comment further."

Dundee City Council runs four children's units.