Gypsy children of Romanian origin earn over 23 million euro annually

Luni, 10 noiembrie 2008, 11:15 English | Regional Europe

At least 200 Gypsy children from Romania, victims of the human trafficking dealers "earn" in Great Britain over 19 million pounds (some 23 million euro) from pickpocketing and fraud each year, The Sunday Times reads in its electronic edition, quoted by Romanian news television Realitatea TV. 

The children, aged 8 on average were illegally brought to Britain with the consent of their parents. The parents receive an employment fee from the dealers. The activities of this network were revealed to the British Parliamentarians by Europol director Max Peter Ratzel.

All these children were brought to UK to fraud the kingdom's social security system, Ratzel wrote in a letter sent last month to the House of Commons Interior Committee. He added that the police suspects that the money are sent back in Romania.  

House of Commons member James Clappison declared that this reality proved the threats coming from the East European countries. Moreover, he added that Brits should carefully consider the consequences of their presence.

After a series of investigations, the police searched some 17 houses in Slough, Berkshire and arrested 25 people. 10 children, aged 10 or less were found and handed over to the social security services.