Organised crime gangs in Scotland prey on vulnerable people and in some cases evict them from their homes to deal drugs, a landmark report has found.

Among the litany of ways criminal gangs exploit groups such as pensioners, addicts and the most-deprived households include financial incentives, indentured labour and threats of violence and death.

That's according to a major 18-month academic study commissioned by the Scottish Government, examining the experiences of communities affected by organised crime.

One example cited in the report was of organised crime groups identifying elderly residents vulnerable to the UK Government's so-called "bedroom tax" after it was introduced in 2013.

They would exploit worries over the financial impact of the measure by offering to pay the charge and take over spare rooms in the target's house in order to deal drugs from the address.

In another example, a woman living in a rural area claimed individuals were taking over people's tenancies and in some cases evicting them in order to deal drugs from their homes.

The study, called Community Experiences of Serious Organised Crime in Scotland, was led by Glasgow and Stirling universities with additional input from Abertay University and the University of the West of Scotland.

It seeks to provide "for the first time" focused research based on the "lived experiences of residents" in communities affected by organised crime.

A total of 188 people were surveyed including residents, local businesses, local service providers and the police.

It highlighted the links between income deprivation and associated problems like addiction, debt and mental health issues, and vulnerability to exploitation by gangs.

Dr Alistair Fraser, of Glasgow University, said: "For the first time, we have been able to hear from people living in communities across Scotland where organised crime is part of everyday life.

"The study shows that while organised crime might be thought of as glamorous, it is rooted in deep and enduring forms of harm and exploitation at community level."

Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith, Stirling University researcher, added: "Tackling serious organised crime can no longer be seen as principally a policing issue.

"We need a stronger set of partnerships across policing, community groups and service providers in order to better identify and address vulnerability and exploitation linked to organised crime."