An increase in crimes committed by Gypsies, or Roma, since the beginning of the year is being blamed on gangs of human-traffickers who smuggle prostitutes, beggars and sometimes handicapped children out of Romania and put them to work. Children are forced to beg and often they do so aggressively, sometimes working with adults who pick pockets while the victims are distracted. French police recently broke up a criminal gang that had dispersed handicapped Roma children among French towns. The trafficking and crime has increased because the Schengen Group of countries lifted visa requirements for Romania in January. Gypsy crime has increased not only in France, but also in Italy and Spain. The Schengen Group includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
