08/04/2010

Secondhand Sellers To Give Prints

Police in Norfolk have introduced a new thumb print record of those trading in secondhand goods, in a bid to reduce the selling of stolen assets.

The Heartsease and Thorpe Hamlet Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) said an identity check will be in operation asking customers to leave behind a copy of their thumb print.

The scheme will mean that customers who wish to trade in secondhand goods will be asked to press their thumb on an inkless touch pad leaving their print with the shop, in addition to completing the stores transaction documentation in the normal way.

It will not affect law-abiding customers so they need not fear of their thumb print being obtained, police said.

Inspector Lisa Hooper said the only time anyone will have access to the thumb print impression will be in the event of it being used in a fraudulent transaction.

"Secondhand trading stores across the city, including non members, will continue to receive daily lists of stolen property from the police allowing them to check the property they have bought is not reported as stolen," she said.

If goods match up with those on the stolen property register police will be able to swiftly trace back to the person who has unlawfully sold the property on, allowing police to take positive action and bring criminals to justice.

Six secondhand shops have signed up to the scheme and will be asking for their thumb print with every transaction from today.

Inspector Hooper added: "It is purely to put a stop to the flow of stolen goods in the city and in the secondhand shops who are the one who feel the financial cost if stolen items are recovered by police, even though they genuinely bought the items from the customer."

All shops signed up to the scheme will display clear posters in stores.

(PR/GK)

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