Man charged for exploiting youths over £50,000 of alcohol thefts

Alcohol worth £50,000 was shoplifted by young people exploited by criminals, Police Scotland's retail crime taskforce says.

The drink was then sold on to fund organised criminal activity.

The thefts took place across the Central Belt - including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and Forth Valley - between April and October this year.

A 43-year-old male has been arrested in the southside of Glasgow as part of an ongoing operation to target the shoplifting.

Det Sgt 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."

The man will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court in February next year.