The children were often held locked in sheds during the nights and sent to steal during the days. However, Chachipe, a charity which works for the human rights of Romani people, has claimed that this programme promoted "popular stereotypes against Roma which contribute to their marginalisation and provide legitimacy to racist attacks against them" and that in suggesting that begging and child exploitation was "intrinsic to the Romany culture", the programme was "highly damaging" for the Romani people.
The children were frequently kept confined in sheds at night and sent out to steal during the day. However, Chachipe, an organization dedicated to human rights of Roma people, asserted that this initiative fostered "common misconceptions about Romani culture that exacerbate their isolation and justify racist assaults" and that by suggesting begging and child exploitation were "integral to Romani heritage," it was "extremely harmful" for the Roma community.