Hundreds of vulnerable women and children are being trafficked to the UK to shoplift for Eastern European crime groups, the BBC has learned.

One company in Scotland told BBC File on 4 it had identified a gang with 154 shoplifters stealing high-value items in bulk to sell or ship abroad.

Members have been arrested in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Darlington.

Retailers Against Crime (RAC) said it was tracking 56 shoplifting groups that are funding organised crime.

The criminals activities have been linked to drugs, firearms and human trafficking.

Read full article here