NPA pledges to further work with Scotland Yard

The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) has pledged itself to further developing its work with London’s Metropolitan Police in its fight against crime.

The commitment follows a series of successful networking event between the police and London NPA members.

Ray Perry, chief executive of the association, said that the association works closely with police forces and adheres with Financial Conduct Authority regulations to ensure criminals do not get a look-in with its members stores.

However he added that the association cannot become complacent. He said: “That is why after our networking event, where we backed the Metropolitan Police’s Safe Seller scheme which signposts to consumers the professionalism and decency of our profession, we agreed we will redouble our efforts with the Met Police to reduce crime.”

The pledge comes after H&T Pawnbrokers and Fish Brothers signed up to the ‘Safe Seller’ scheme earlier this year, which allows second-hand good businesses who sign up acess to a property database enabling them to check if an item is stolen prior to selling it.

The scheme also permits police to examine stock to ensure that stolen property is not purchased.

Duncan Ball, commander at the Met police, said: “The Metropolitan Police Service are striving to build greater working partnerships with London’s business community and the MPS Safe Seller scheme is one such initiative.”

“With NPA members joining the scheme we will work together in reducing crime in the communities that both our organisations serve. Our intention through the Safe Seller Scheme is to increase business confidence in local policing whilst making our high streets a hostile environment for criminals to operate within.”