New scheme to tackle jewellery thefts in North Somerset

A new scheme to tackle jewellery thefts has been launched in North Somerset.

The new Gold Standard scheme is a voluntary code of conduct where jewellers and pawnbrokers carry out checks to verify sellers' ages and identities, keep detailed records of items purchased, and record transactions on CCTV.

It has been introduced by Avon and Somerset Police in a bid to prevent burglars cashing in on stolen jewellery, and has the backing of the National Association of Goldsmiths, British Jewellers' Association and National Pawnbrokers Association.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Toms said: "With the price of gold going up and up, we're increasingly seeing burglars choosing jewellery over electrical items, hoping to make quick cash through anonymous sales.

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"The idea behind this scheme is to make it harder for burglars to sell on what they steal and work more closely with businesses to catch suspects and return stolen property to victims.

"Signing up to the scheme also acts as a reminder to businesses that they themselves are committing crime if they buy and sell stolen property – and we will prosecute them.

"Equally, they stand to lose money if we end up seizing goods we believe to be stolen as part of our investigations."

Participating jewellers and pawnbrokers will display a sticker in their windows and an information poster within their shops.

Police officers will be visiting jewellers and pawnbrokers across North Somerset to sign them up to the scheme. For more information, contact DC Dale Buckingham at Weston Police Station on 01934 638250, or DC Steve Webb at Nailsea on 01934 638317.