Scots tempted by stolen goods

Some Scots would not mind where goods came from

One fifth of Scots would consider buying goods which may have been stolen, according to a survey.

The research for the Safer Scotland campaign suggests almost one million people would take advantage of a bargain without questioning its origins.

Police are now urging consumers to think before they part with their money.

The study found the likelihood of being offered suspect goods was greatest in Strathclyde but least likely in the Highlands and Islands.

For every 'bargain' on offer, someone, somewhere, is paying Patrick Shearer Grampian Police

Patrick Shearer, Grampian Police assistant chief constable and lead officer for the national campaign, said: "These figures illustrate why it is so important to get the public to think about the Safer Scotland campaign and change their attitude to buying so-called bargains.

"For every 'bargain' on offer, someone, somewhere, is paying.

"The public appreciate that theft is a crime but perhaps do not realise that by knowingly buying stolen goods they are also committing a crime."

The poll found 21% of adults would consider buying something without knowing its origins.

The figure rose to almost one third in the 18 to 34 age group where more than 350,000 people would be tempted by a "bargain - no questions asked".

Drugs and crime

The research, commissioned by the Scottish Executive, was carried out in advance of the Safer Scotland campaign to assess the public attitude to purchasing goods which they suspect may have been stolen.

The month-long campaign is targeting criminals involved in housebreaking, thefts from cars and mobile phone thefts.

Mr Shearer also said Safer Scotland plans to turn the spotlight on the connection between drugs and crime.

"We believe that most of the proceeds of theft crimes are used to purchase drugs but this link has never been nationally researched," he said.

"During the campaign all Scottish police forces will gather information to establish to what extent drugs purchase is the motivation for theft."

Scottish Opinion interviewed a sample of 1,004 adults at sampling points in all 73 Scottish parliamentary constituencies.