Thumbprint scheme launched in city
Customers who sell second-hand goods for money are being urged to take part in a new scheme which is designed to tackle the sale of stolen items.
Police launched the scheme in Norwich and want consumers to leave a thumbprint in second-hand shops.
These would then enable detectives to more effectively locate sellers if goods turned out to be stolen.
A spokeswoman said prints would be kept in shops, not on any central database. A number of businesses in the city have already signed up.
Inspector Lisa Hooper said: "The scheme will deter criminals from even trying to sell property to the shops who have signed up to the scheme, it will not affect law-abiding customers so they need not (have) fear of their thumbprint being obtained.
"It is purely to put a stop to the flow of stolen goods in the city and in the second-hand shops who are the ones who feel the financial cost if stolen items are recovered by police, even though they genuinely bought the items from the customer.
"We hope that customers will support the scheme and voluntarily allow for their thumbprint to be taken."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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