Posted:15-October-2013
Cash Converters franchise crack down on stolen goods
Cash Converters has developed successful relationships with local police forces across the UK in a bid to prevent stolen items from being brought in to stores.
The UK’s number one retailer of buying and selling pre-owned goods has a robust relationship with forces across the country with the majority of its 220+ stores signed up to a Police Protocol Agreement.
The agreement was signed two years ago this month and enables staff from Cash Converters and the police to share information about any suspicious goods brought into the store and any items recovered.
Chief executive of Cash Converters, David Patrick, signed the agreement with the Met Police at New Scotland Yard in August 2011 and since then, the initiative has been rolled out across a number of forces in the UK with the majority of the Cash Converters network covered.
Stores in Merseyside have signed up to an Information Sharing Agreement, as well as stores in Kent, Essex, Hampshire and Worcestershire, resulting in similar organisations following suit.
David said: “We continue to take the lead within the second hand goods industry to prevent crime and to put a stop to stolen goods coming through our doors.
“In addition to the formal agreements with the police forces, there is a strictly enforced identification policy in each store where no buy, buyback or personal finance transaction is allowed to proceed unless the customer provides adequate and up to date identification.
“When the customer is selling an item to Cash Converters they must share at least two forms of ID, have their photograph taken, sign an agreement to confirm they are the legal owner of the goods and be prepared for the store to share their details with the police.”
In store computer systems log all serial numbers of goods being sold and alerts staff to any potentially suspicious items which are then shared with the police.
All mobile phones and computers are run through the Checkmend system, allowing stores to see whether the phone has been reported to the police or whether it has been blocked or reported as stolen to the mobile provider and insurance companies.
The store will also be notified for the next 30 days following the initial check in case the item is reported as stolen after the item has been sold to Cash Converters. In addition, all SIM cards are destroyed and factory setting restored so all customer data is protected.
David continued: “We certainly do not want stolen property brought into our stores and we are proud to be one of the first retailers to commit to the police protocol. We continue to initiate ways to enable us to work alongside the police to increase our on-going commitment to reduce crime.”
Cash Converters is the UK’s number one retailer of pre-owned goods and financial services provider with 227 stores in the UK and 730 stores worldwide.
As well as offering a place to shop for pre-owned bargains and sell unwanted goods for instant cash, Cash Converters also provides a range of financial services including pawnbroking, financial services, cheque cashing, laybys and buyback.
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