Anti-theft scheme is extended

As reported in optician last month (News, May 7) practices in Brighton, East Sussex are asking patients to provide proof-of -purchase receipts before reglazing spectacles to make sure they have been bought legitimately. Now a similar scheme has started in nearby Eastbourne, involving Dollond & Aitchison, Specsavers, Barraclough & Stiles and Crown Optical Centre. Inspector Malcolm Richards who has organised the latest scheme said his force was aware that there was a problem with criminals stealing optical frames. 'They are pinching huge numbers of frames and farming them out through car boot sales,' he said. 'There is now no point in stealing frames because the thief won't be able to reglaze them.'