H&T Pawnbrokers and Fish Brothers sign up to ‘Safe Seller’ scheme

The Metropolitan Police have announced that two established pawnbrokers have signed up to its ‘Safe Seller’ scheme as part of an ongoing crackdown on the sale of stolen goods. 

H&T Pawnbrokers and Fish Brothers – which have a combined total of 48 stores in the capital – are supporting the initiative, which aims to catch those who steal, possess, purchase or trade stolen second hand goods within London.

The scheme allows second-hand goods businesses who sign up access to a property database to enable them to check if an item is stolen or not prior to a sale occurring.

The agreement also permits police to examine stock to ensure that stolen property is not purchased, which Scotland Yard said results in customers having an increased confidence in their purchases.

Detective Superintendent Neil Thompson, of the national mobile phone crime unit, which manages the scheme, said: “The Safe Seller Scheme is an effective initiative that helps us to make London’s high streets a hostile environment for both thieves and handlers of stolen goods.

“By devaluing stolen items, the operation will make this market secure and far less lucrative and difficult to operate in. We are committed to bringing together local authorities and private businesses in preventing crime and are delighted that H&T Pawnbrokers and Fish Brothers have joined the [scheme].”

Peter Coleman, director of pawnbroking at Fish Brothers Group, said: “[We] are pleased to be a member of the Safe Seller, Gold Standard across all our stores. We as a business know how important it is for customers to feel confident that the items they are selling are protected by the code of practice as set out under the Safe Seller, Gold Standard.”

More than 1,000 second-hand retailers across London are currently signed up and engaging in the scheme following its creation in 2013.