POLICE have identified a number of businesses in Glasgow linked to organised crime.

An operation has found 34 firms in the city police are planning to take action to stop illegal activity.

Taxi firms, vehicle repair ­garages, letting agencies and pubs are among companies ­police have complied evidence of links to crime gangs.

Officers are working with the city council and UK ­government agencies  to ­instigate tax investigations.

Police said they will pursue any means necessary to ­disrupt criminals’ illegal activity through seemingly legitimate businesses.  Officers contacted National Lottery operators Camelot about a person linked to organised crime who owned a ­newsagents shop who was suspected of money laundering.

Camelot then removed the lottery machine and suspended his licence to sell lottery tickets.

In another case, police seized £17,500 from a person’s bank account following a fraud investigation, which found him to be money laundering for a crime gang.

Another, linked to a crime gang, had his insurance claim for a crashed car cancelled ­after police reported his criminal history to insurers, who refused to pay out on his £25,000 claim.

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty, Divisional Commander, said in a report to councillors: “Tackling serious and organised crime remains one of our key priorities.

“Our objectives include working with partners to ­deprive organised crime groups access to financial gains through legitimate enterprises and target organised crime groups through proceeds of crime legislation.”

In his report, Mr McInulty also revealed the latest crime figures for the city showing  an increase in violent crime.

The report to the Safe Glasgow Committee on Glasgow City Council show serious ­assaults, common assaults and robberies reported between April and June, this year, are all up on last year.

There were 224 serious ­assaults – an increase of 15%. Common assaults increased by 7% to 2703, while robberies were up slightly by 2% to 90.

At the same time, detection rates for crimes of violence fell slightly but robbery detection was up.

Complaints of disorder also increased by 4%, up to 11,813.  Mr McInulty added: “Local Area Commanders continue to deploy resources in line with local demands to help improve community safety.

“A slight rise in complaints of disorder compared to last year indicates the need to ­remain focused on this issue and to deploy police and ­partner resources in the right places at the right times.”