13/04/2010 - New thumbprint scheme launched
People selling second-hand goods to stores in Norwich are to be asked leave a thumbprint in the shops when they trade old goods for cash.
Police have launched the scheme in a bid to stop thieves profiting from stolen items and a number of second-hand shops in the city have agreed to participate.
Using the thumbprints, detectives will be able to trace sellers if the goods are stolen, a police spokeswoman said.
Shops will keep the prints instead of a central database, and police investigating other crimes will be able to examine them.
Inspector Lisa Hooper said the scheme was launched to stop thieves from trying to sell stolen items in second-hand shops.
She 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 fear their thumbprint being obtained."
Inspector Hooper added: "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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