PAWNBROKERS, jewellers and second-hand shops have signed up to a police scheme to prevent thieves from re-selling stolen goods.
The shopkeepers in the Consett and Stanley areas have also become part of the Neighbourhood Watch which gives them an ‘early warning’ about stolen property.
The Stop Scheme (Stop Thieves Off-loading Property) was originally introduced in Darlington, where Police community support officer Vikki Ord said it was a huge success.
PSCO Ord said: "Following the scheme’s success in Darlington, I decided to speak to local businesses in Derwentside to sign them up and hopefully replicate its achievements."
When the scheme was operating in Darlington, police managed to recover a number of items of stolen property and return them to their original owners. So far 10 shops in the Consett and Stanley area have signed up to the scheme.
PSCO Ord said: "The main aim of Stop is to send out a clear message to would-be thieves that there are fewer and fewer outlets for stolen property."
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