Police hold Romanian children smuggled into Britain
Fagin-style criminal gangs reportedly trafficking youngsters
Last Updated: Friday, January 25, 2008 | 11:29 AM ET
CBC News
Eleven Romanian children living in Britain were taken into police custody and another 25 Romanian nationals were arrested on Thursday, after police raided 17 homes in Slough, Berkshire, a suburb west of London.
The operation was an effort co-ordinated by several task forces, including the Metropolitan Police and Romanian officers, to crack down on Fagin-style criminal gangs reportedly trafficking children from Romania and implicating them in petty crime schemes.
"While many of these crimes committed appear to be low-level, we have evidence that organized crime networks are exploiting and driving the most vulnerable members of their own community," said Steve Allen, police commander of the Westminster district police.
Police have been tracking a surge of gang-related thefts in the Westminster district of London since 2007. They suspect poor families in Romania surrender their children to gangs with promises of financial return.
According to police, gangs then force the youngsters into a gypsy lifestyle, coaching them to pickpocket from transit passengers and passersby on busy London streets.
Those arrested during the raids are charged with crimes including immigration breaches, deception, fraud, theft and pickpocketing.
The children, who range in age from one to 17 years old, are in the care of the Slough Borough Council social services and efforts will be made to reunite the children with their families.
Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and is one of its poorest members. In recent years, up to two million Romanians have left their country in hopes of better jobs and improved standards of living.
According to the Associated Press, police believe many Romanians have been led to Britain by false pretenses, only to find themselves forced into labour and crime.
"We continue to work closely with, and share intelligence with, the Romanian authorities," Allen said.
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