CONCERNS about the living conditions of farm and factory workers saw police and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) attend a property on Haddington High Street.

Community officers were joined by colleagues from East Lothian Council and the GLAA at the home on Wednesday, in an operation described to the Courier by one eye witness as a “raid”.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The purpose of these visits was to check on the welfare and living conditions of local farm and factory workers. All were safe and well and all was in order.

"We will continue working with partners to provide safe living and working conditions for workers who support local industry.”

A spokeswoman from East Lothian Council added: “Following a request from the GLAA, representatives from the council’s licensing and environmental health teams attended properties in Haddington High Street to ensure appropriate standards of property and living conditions were in place for tenants.”

The GLAA is a national enforcement agency whose role is to protect workers from labour exploitation.

It investigates reports of unlicensed trading, worker exploitation and illegal labour provision, as well as offences under the National Minimum Wage and Employment Agencies Acts.