Making a saving by buying stolen goods would not faze one in twenty Mancunians, a new poll has revealed.
The ‘morality survey’ also showed that one in six would have no qualms buying the latest gadget at a price ‘too good to be true’ without questioning where the seller obtained it.
Justifications given to Greater Manchester Police, who quizzed 2,000 people on the subject range from ‘low wages’ and ‘high prices’ to ‘when you’re struggling financially it’s very easy to think about yourself.’
While most wouldn’t engage in handling stolen goods some openly endorsed it, one respondent said: “No one cares for the little people; we need to care for ourselves.”
Police however say the true victims can be smaller businesses and targets of thieves.
Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable, Garry Shewan, said: “Don’t forget the real price of your goods bought from the man at the pub, your door or betting shop may have come from a victim of crime.”
Of all participants 9% had not thought about the impact of stolen goods on the wider community or local businesses.
ACC Shewan added: “Some of these victims are the most vulnerable people in society and criminals may have used or threatened violence to obtain the items which will have been stolen because thieves know the cash value they hold.”
Most Mancunians however would take exception to being offered stolen products with 84% refusing to buy if they even suspected the origin of a product was dubious.
Of all those who participated 37% would even confront the seller as to where they got the item from.
One person responded that they felt sorry for the ‘honest people losing goods that they have worked hard to buy.’
Others went with the timeless and simple adage that ‘if it’s too good to be true it, then it probably is.’
Image courtesy of Ario_, with thanks
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