A HUMAN trafficking investigation has been launched after a young woman was found in a distressed state in Dunblane this month.

At around 10.55pm on Thursday, September 13, a Vietnamese woman sought assistance from a member of the public in Cockburn Avenue.

Police were contacted and found the 21-year-old was the victim of human trafficking and had managed to escape from where she was being housed.

Inquiries so far suggest that she may have come from North of the town, possibly the rural Tayside area, and so motorists who may have been travelling along the A9 during the late evening of the September 13 are asked to come forward if they have any relevant information.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Thacker, of the public protection unit in Forth Valley, said: "At the moment, we are continuing to liaise with the young woman as to her ordeal and try to establish a more definitive location as to where she has fled from.

"As such we are focussing our attention on the A9 area and would be eager to hear from anyone who remembers seeing a lone female walking in a distressed state in the hours before 10.55pm on September 13.

"Similarly, anyone with any other relevant information should also contact police immediately.

"At this time there is nothing to suggest Dunblane itself is central to this inquiry, nor have we identified any other victims from the region. However, it's essential we identify those responsible to establish if any other individuals require our assistance. As such, if you know anything, then please get in touch."

  • Those with information can contact Stirling CID via 101 and quote incident number 4340 of September 13.
  • Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.