Security Marking

Security marking valuable items will discourage burglars from stealing them by making it difficult to sell them on. It will also help the police to ensure they are returned to you if they are stolen but subsequently found.

You should mark your property with your postcode and the number and / or name of your house.

You can security mark property in a number of ways:

• Permanent marking – using an engraving tool and a stencil
• Invisible marking - using an ultra violet (UV) pen to write on your details. The ink when dried is almost invisible to the human eye but shows up under special light. UV pen markings tend to fade over time, so it is best to re-apply every six months.
• Forensic marking - useing DNA technology to mark property with a special code which is unique to the owner, allowing property to be easily identified.
  Find out more about forensic property marking systems and how to obtain them.
  
• Photographs – some items such as jewellery and antiques are not suitable for marking. In these cases, it is a good idea to take photos of such items and keep them in a safe with a record of any serial numbers or markings and a description. If your property is stolen this information will help the police recover your items and prove your ownership.

To deter burglars you can obtain window stickers from the police or your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme that say your property is security marked.

Immobilise It!

Once you have security marked your property, go a step further and place it on the national property register, Immobilise (www.immobilise.com).

This online checking service is used by all UK police forces to trace owners of lost and stolen property. In addition Immobilise is checked daily by a huge range of recovery agencies and lost property offices.

As a direct result of Immobilise there are over 250 cases a week where property is returned or information collected that assists the police in investigating criminal activity involving stolen goods.

Should you have any items stolen, you will find it easier to deal with insurance companies as well.