Criminal Gangs Traffic Women and Children to UK to Shoplift: Watchdog

Children as young as 12 have been brought to the UK to shoplift for organised crime groups, with links to firearms and drugs.

Shoppers walk along Oxford Street in London, on Dec. 27, 2021. Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Women and minors are being trafficked to the UK to shoplift in stores across the country, a retail crime watchdog said.

Girls as young as 12 and 14 were found to be brought to Britain to work for organised crime groups with links to drugs, firearms, and human trafficking.