POLICE Scotland are launching a new campaign to deter people from buying potentially stolen goods.

Purchasing such items funds serious and organised crime and with the festive period well under wayshoppers from across the country will still have to buy Christmas presents.

However, the force are warning shoppers not to spend their money on any items that have been stolen from a home or business.

In the past few years, tackling house break-ins in Scotland has been a policing priority – with many areas seeing a significant reduction in crimes of that kind.

But where items are stolen and sold on to, these are sold on at a cheaper price than would usually be found online or in a high street store.

Buying such products is known as resetting.

Detective Supt. Catriona Henderson, said: “While it is natural to look for the best deal when buying any product, it is not acceptable to view the purchase of stolen goods as a cheaper alternative to buying in-store or online.

“It is a criminal offence to knowingly take possession of any item that has been obtained this way.

“Please only buy from reputable sources