News / Society

‘Oliver Twist’ children used in organized crime

Monday, 01 June 2015 1:35 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 01 June 2015 1:36 PM ]

UK gangs reportedly use kids in criminal activity.

Britain’s anti-slavery commissioner has warned about the ‘Oliver Twist’ scenarios in UK streets, saying criminal gangs are using children to pickpocket, steal and beg in nationwide criminal operations.

Kevin Hyland, an ex-Met Police detective who is currently the anti-slavery commissioner, has warned that gangs are exploiting vulnerable British children and that urgent action is needed to stop them.

He said that “Oliver Twist scenarios” are taking place across the country. "We are in the 21st century and yet we have Oliver Twist scenarios happening in our streets and cities…I think we all thought that was gone and in the past but actually it's alive and kicking in London. It's pure criminality and abuse of children."

Hyland believes that more needs to be done, saying, "I see cases where I'm meeting victims and hear their cases have not been investigated properly. These are things that really need to change…what's really worrying is the numbers of investigations aren't sufficiently high. The reason why people are choosing this form of criminality is because there aren't the resources tackling it."

The UK’s ruling Tories claim they are the party to eradicate slavery in Britain and that they have been the ones to bring it to the public’s attention. Home Office minister Karen Bradley has said that "for too long, this was a hidden crime…now, we have succeeded in bringing modern slavery out into the open, and we are determined to eradicate it. There is no place for modern slavery in today's society."

Modern slavery has been put into the spotlight in recent years with several high-profile cases being brought to public attention. The Home Office has recently stated that there have been between 10,000 and 13,000 cases of modern human slavery in the UK, although experts note that recorded cases are much lower. These cases range from forced prostitution, forced workers in fishing, domestic environments, factories and agriculture.

LM/GHN

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