GOC supports new proof of purchase anti-theft scheme

Supported by the General Optical Council, the scheme has been established in a bid to combat the increased level of designer frame theft, particularly during the summer months. The exclusive frames, which are stolen and replaced with imitations by thieves, are being sold to unsuspecting members of the public. But practitioners are being urged to refuse to glaze frames of customers who are unable to prove that they were bought legitimately. PC Matt Ebeling, who was responsible for launching the scheme, is encouraging all practitioners to show their support by adopting the new policy. 'With some frames costing &\#163;150 or more, stealing frames has become big business,' he said. Dispensing optician Debbie Addison, manager of the Brighton branch of Batemans Opticians, said that she had helped PC Ebeling in setting up the scheme after experiencing designer frame theft at her practice. 'It's a problem that we see a lot of here in Brighton. We are supporting this scheme as the police are trying to do something about it,' she said. Bob Hughes, general secretary of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, welcomed the move and said he was delighted that practitioners were participating in anti-crime measures. 'People should take part in these schemes as it's an effective way of stopping the market for stolen designer frames,' he said.