Children smuggled into Scotland by gangs to conduct shoplifting crimes: FOI release

Information requested

1. Is the Scottish Government aware of how many children have been smuggled into Scotland by gangs to conduct shoplifting crimes in the last five years? (If possible, can this data be split up by financial year).

2. Has the Scottish Government corresponded with Police Scotland officials about the recent report that crime gangs have been trafficking children into Scotland to conduct shoplifting crimes?

3. How does the Scottish Government plan to support Police Scotland and other bodies deal with this method of crime?

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some the information you have requested.

1. Is the Scottish Government aware of how many children have been smuggled into Scotland by gangs to conduct shoplifting crimes in the last five years? (If possible, can this data be split up by financial year).

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of children who have been trafficked into Scotland by gangs to conduct shoplifting crimes. The reasons we are not able to provide the information is enclosed in Annex A.

2. Has the Scottish Government corresponded with Police Scotland officials about the recent report that crime gangs have been trafficking children into Scotland to conduct shoplifting crimes?

While there is ongoing partnership work between the Scottish Government and Police Scotland on trafficking and organised crime, there has been no specific correspondence between officials on trafficked children and shoplifting.

3. How does the Scottish Government plan to support Police Scotland and other bodies deal with this method of crime?

The Scottish Government absolutely recognises the disruption and harm to businesses from theft and antisocial behaviour and fully supports the innovative Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime (SPAAC), which is led by Police Scotland and includes a number of other organisations including retailers.

SPAACE has the joint aim of reducing the risks our communities face from acquisitive crime and the associated financial loss. The SPAACE strategy seeks to minimise opportunities for this type of crime, protect individuals and businesses from its threat, and deliver clearer advice and guidance for prevention. SPAACE is a multi-agency partnership involving key organisations collectively working together to tackle acquisitive crime.

Providing strategic focus, SPAACE co-ordinates a committed and sustained approach of crime prevention advice across Scotland’s communities. The Partnership has set seven priorities, one of which is ‘theft’, underpinned by specific prevention, deterrence and enforcement actions co-ordinated by the lead agency.

The Scottish Government’s budget for 2024-25 includes record police total funding of £1.55bn, an increase of £92.7m despite difficult financial circumstances. The Scottish Police Authority resource budget has increased by 5.6% compared to 2023-24 – an additional £75.7m to protect frontline policing. We have increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17, investing more than £13.2bn since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400430556 - Information released - Annex A

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