Pawnbroker critical of police after fake gold swap

Paul Wood said he knew police were stretched but felt like they had "given up"

A pawnbroker who says he was was tricked by fraudsters into buying fake gold in his Stoke-on-Trent shop has questioned the police response after being told to wait six weeks for a visit by an officer.

Paul Wood, who owns Church Street Gold Pottery and Furniture, said his security cameras captured a man and a woman switching real gold they were selling for fake bullion bars during the transaction last week.

He reported it to Staffordshire Police but was told of the six-week wait or offered an an appointment at a local police station this weekend.

The force said it was investigating and appealed for information.

Mr Wood, who has had his store in the city centre for 18 years, said he understood police were busy and resources were stretched but he expected an officer to come to him within a day or two and take a statement and then "try to do something about it".

The "well-dressed" man and woman came into his shop on 20 June and said they wanted to sell some gold bullion which he handled and weighed.

"On this occasion, the chap agreed to the price and we paid him, but during the transaction, somehow by sleight of hand, he managed to switch the bag which contained the real gold for a bag that contained, basically fake gold and quite rapidly then left the building and run up the street with the money and the gold," he said.

He had paid him £1,765 in cash and although he has insurance, he was not covered for the theft as premiums were so high to cover "everything".

'Given up'

He said he felt "a bit stupid" as he was usually very careful and he did not see what or how the man had done it until they watched their security cameras back.

He said other retailers in the centre had reported crimes to the force but faced similar waits.

"I think the police have given and up.. there's too many crimes.. there's not enough police and I do feel sorry for them because they're not getting help," he said.

Staffordshire Police said the pair entered the shop at about 11:00 BST.

The man was described as being of a large build with black hair shaved at the side, a black goatee beard and was wearing a suit.

The woman was also described as a large build, was wearing a matching suit, had long straight dark hair that was tied back and white trainers that had a red heel.