Organised shoplifting gangs using children as young as five, police say

During a week-long crackdown, London's Metropolitan Police uncovered organized shoplifting gangs using children as young as five to steal goods. The operation targeted not just shoplifters but also drug dealers and illegal e-bike riders, netting 32 suspects. This initiative highlights the troubling trend of young children being exploited in criminal activities, underscoring the need for more comprehensive child protection measures and community support to address the root causes of such exploitation.