A campaign to cut down on the number of Asian gold thefts by killing the market for stolen jewellery in the district was launched by police in Keighley yesterday.

The “Gold Standard” is a partnership between police and retailers who deal in second-hand jewellery and is in response to a spike in burglaries in the past 12 months, some of which have seen families threatened in their own home.

Shops that sign up for the scheme will hold items such as gold for a set period, making it easier for police to recover stolen goods, and ask for photographic ID for transactions.

The first business to sign up to the agreement was Cash Converters on Cavendish Street in Keighley.

Police hope the other 50-plus businesses in the district that deal with second- hand jewellery will sign up to the standard, which aims to reduce the number of crimes by making it more difficult for thieves to sell their stolen loot.

Insp Andrew Croasdale, of Bradford and Airedale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This is a voluntary code, but by doing it shops are able to provide a level of integrity so customers know what they are buying is not stolen.

“Hopefully all the outlets in the area will sign up. Once they do we will do checks to see if they are complying with the code. It makes it that bit more difficult for the criminals. If we cut off the market they will struggle to unload what they steal and then hopefully think twice about committing such crimes.”

Other actions Gold Standard shops agree to uphold include a ban on transactions with anyone under 18.

Cash Converters manager Gary Marsland said: “We are happy to help West Yorkshire Police promote this latest initiative, which will not only help reduce jewellery thefts, but will also give our customers confidence to buy such items from our outlets.”

Bradford Council has also given its support to the initiative.