Scottish police and HM Revenue & Customs investigators have carried out raids at ten homes across Scotland and identified tax credit fraud totalling £500,000.

According to the BBC, homes in Paisley and Renfrewshire were searched and 13 people questioned.

It is believed to have been the biggest operation of its kind in Scotland.

Fifty Customs investigators were joined by 30 police officers during swoops carried out on Wednesday morning.

Nine women and four men volunteered to help the inquiry.

Eric Youngson, senior officer in HMRC criminal investigations, said: ‘I am grateful for the assistance of Strathclyde Police in this operation, which already identified a fraud in excess of £500,000.’