This is a very powerful investigative film, which I hope will change for the better the lives of many Gypsy small children that are ruthlessly exploited through begging on the streets of Britain. It features two small children – a girl and a boy, "Alice" and "Lou" – both around the age of 4. Day in and day out they are forced to beg for long hours in Central London. The filmmakers follow them, and 50 other Romanian Gypsy children exploited through begging over a period of 8 months, painstakingly gathering evidence of their exploitation through some extraordinary surveillance footage. Babies are used too as begging props by women who beg relentlessly. The film raises awareness about the plight of many children trapped in a vicious circle of exploitation, perpetrated not only by organised crime, as the police claims, but by the kids' own families, too – as this programme proves it. The situation of the Gypsies in Romania is key to understanding why this is going on and the truth behind child-begging. The problem is born out of poverty and discrimination and is fuelled by greed. The authorities don't know how to deal with it, but if something is not done soon, an entire generation of Gypsy children will be lost. This is investigative journalism at its very best. Well done, Panorama! As a Romani, I particularly applaud the Romanian Gypsy Right campaigner who says in the film that the time has come for us to speak out about our exploitation that goes on in our own community. Indeed it has! Watch this film, it deserves an award!
