Man charged over 'youth exploitation' amid spree of alcohol thefts from Central Belt shops

A man has been charged in connection with exploiting young people following a spate of alcohol thefts from shops in the Central Belt

A Police Scotland investigation, named Operation Dynos, was launched following a series of thefts in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and Forth Valley between April and October.

On each occasion young people stole quantities of alcohol from stores, which was then reset and sold on to fund organised criminal activity.

In total around £50,000 worth of alcohol was stolen during these incidents.

On Friday, officers arrested a 43-year-old man at a home in the Southside of Glasgow in connection with the incidents.

He has been charged and will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on February 4.

Detective Sergeant Stephanie Bertram from Operation Dynos said: “The young people responsible for the theft of alcohol during these incidents are victims of exploitation by individuals looking to fund organised crime.

“While one arrest has been made, our inquiries continue, and we will not relent in our pursuit of anyone looking to profit from the exploitation and manipulation of others.

“Operation Dynos, local policing teams, and Retail Crime Taskforce officers will continue to gather intelligence and conduct enforcement to tackle retail crime and disrupt any organised criminal activity linked to it.”