'We Don't Buy Crime' Initiative
Burglary Mini-site
The first week in December 2002 saw the launch of Herefordshire's biggest ever offensive against the purchase of stolen goods in a bid to crack down on crime and cut the amount of cash available for drugs across the County.
We Don't Buy Crime', a joint West Mercia Constabulary and Herefordshire's Community Safety Partnership initiative, tackles those people who buy stolen goods, whether knowingly or by turning their back on the truth. With Christmas just around the corner, the pressure to buy expensive gifts increases, as does the temptation to buy those expensive gifts at 'bargain' or 'knock down' prices.
'We Don't Buy Crime' is about a massive public awareness campaign and it has whole-hearted support from all corners of the County including businesses, retailers, pubs, shops, the local authority, community groups and the voluntary sector.
A high percentage of crime is committed to fund drug habits and the proceeds of, this crime, which can be anything from burglaries, shop-lifting and theft to vehicle crime and robberies, is sold or used to obtain cash, which is then spent on drugs to feed the habit.
'We Don't Buy Crime' is about breaking this cycle, in other words, directly tackling the market where stolen goods are sold on. By doing this we are taking away the opportunity for ready cash to be made by drug users and dealers.
In Herefordshire, stolen goods are being sold on in pubs or pub car parks, at car boot sales, through the use of supermarket notice-boards, by door to door sales and through placing adverts in the local press. We enclose a list of the top ten 'hot' products.
National research estimates that around 10% of the population are involved in the purchase of stolen goods, either knowingly or ignoring the obvious by turning their back on the truth. That could mean around 16,000 people in Herefordshire alone!
'We Don't Buy Crime' is about educating these people so that they understand the consequences of picking up a bargain which could be stolen. It is a criminal offence and it carries a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment.
HEREFORDSHIRE'S TOP 10 'HOT' PRODUCTS
The following list has been identified by Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership's Drugs Analyst as the top 10 'hot' products stolen in our county - in other words, those that are stolen in order to sell on for cash to fund a drug habit:
- Power tools, specially lawnmowers but also powered drills and screwdrivers.
- Electrical audio/video equipment
- Clothing (branded and new)
- Alcohol, ranging from beers through to spirits and alcopops
- Groceries, specially coffee and meat
- Jewellery
- Electrical non audio/video, such as batteries and razors
- Bicycles
- Drugs and medical supplies, such as aspirin
- Household goods, such as baby equipment and kitchen equipment
The above items are likely to be sold door to door, at car boot sales, through small adverts in the local press, in pubs or pub car parks and on supermarket notice boards. We all have a legal and moral responsibility to satisfy ourselves that the product we are buying is not stolen. If you have any doubts about what you are being offered to buy, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Last update: Monday, November 06, 2006