A gang of Romanian children smuggled into Britain to work in slavery as thieves and pickpockets has been freed in a dawn raid.

The children, some as young as four, have been used to target victims in London's West End.

Police arrested 19 adults in the raids on 17 addresses in Slough, Berkshire and said six children under the age of 10 are now in the care of Slough Borough Council.

The raids were codenamed Operation Caddy and followed an eight-month intelligence operation.

Commander Steve Allen said that poor children were being enticed into lives of crime by promises of money.

He said: "While many of these crimes committed appear to be low level, we have evidence that organised crime networks are exploiting and driving the most vulnerable members of their own community."

He added: "With promises of a financial return, some poor families surrender their children, who are subsequently forced to commit crime.

"Today's operation is about us targeting those behind organised crime networks on the streets of London, and the criminal exploitation of children.

Romania joined the EU in January last year and organised crime by Romanians in Britain has since rocketed.

Mr Allen said: "Today's operation is about dismantling these crime networks to protect and rescue these children."

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