CHILDREN are being forced to pickpocket, shoplift and beg in “Oliver Twist scenarios” across Britain, the anti-slavery commissioner warned yesterday.

Kevin Hyland, who was appointed commissioner by Theresa May in November, said youngsters are part of lucrative criminal operations that net real-life Fagins huge fortunes in ill-gotten gains.

He said: “We are in the 21st century and yet we have Oliver Twist scenarios happening in our streets and cities.”

“It’s pure criminality and abuse of children. But it’s all very complicated because of the way the children are groomed,” said the former Met Police anti-trafficking chief.

Earlier this year the Modern Slavery Act became law, increasing the maximum sentence to life in prison and introduced a tough asset-confiscation regime.

There were 151 convictions for slavery-related offences last year, a number “nowhere near good enough,” Mr Hyland said.

Slavery can involve sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude or forced criminality.