SHOPLIFTERS TRAFFICK KIDS

Thieves as young as 12 in Glasgow gang

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

HUNDREDS of vulnerable women and kids are being trafficked to Scotland to shoplift for organised gangs, it was revealed yesterday. 

One eastern Europe group – based in Glasgow – has recruited 154 shoplifters to steal highvalue items in bulk which are then sold or shipped abroad.

They target cities in Scotland as well as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Darlington and the north of England.

Retailers Against Crime (RAC) has identified 56 shoplifting groups being used to fund organised crime with links to drugs, firearms and human trafficking.

RAC managing director Maxine Fraser said the Glasgow gang includes children who have been trafficked here specifically to steal across the UK.