Vulnerable children are being lured into Fagin-style gangs to go on 'robbing raids'

SERIOUS organised crime groups are recruiting vulnerable children in care to create modern-day Fagin-style gangs to carry out shoplifting raids.

- By Paul Jeeves Crime Editor

The ploy follows the county lines methods used by drug dealers and is one of a series of methods criminals are using as they target UK shops in ever-increasing numbers.

Children as young as 13 are being recruited by the gangs with offers of expensive trainers or new clothing in return for carrying out regular swoops to steal higher-end items such as champagne or whisky.

And in Scotland, one major gang is exploiting the free public transport available to young people to send children on out-of-town "robbing raids" - often travelling long distances from Glasgow to reach remote shops that are viewed as "easy pickings" because they have lower levels of security than major city outlets.

The ploy is helping to fuel the £2.2billion shoplifting epidemic blighting Britain and leaving retailers in the depths of despair.

This week the Daily Express launched our Stop The Shoplifters crusade with a call to arms for increased action from police and politicians to crack down on the national scourge.

Key to our campaign aim is a call for police forces nationwide to agree to attend in person all reports of shoplifting.