Coded For Keeps
Property marking deters thieves and helps the police to return stolen property.
Marking your property can deter burglars and help the police to gt your property back to you if it is stolen.
How Safe Are Your Possessions?
Do you own thing of sentimental value which would be impossible to replace? Or things which could be replaced but at a cost?
Your posessions may mean a lot to youbut to a thief they are just another way of making easy cash.
Of course the best thing to do is to protect your home against the thief. But if someone did break in and steal things, could you describe them fully and accurately to the police? It's not as easy as it sounds when all you have to rely on is your memory.
Every year, property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds is recovered by the police and not returned to its rightful owners, simply because it can't be properly identified.
Property marking deters thieves. They find identifiable property dangerous to handle and difficult to dispolse of. It also helps the police to return your property if it is found.
Postcode Your Property
Your postcode, plus your house or flat number (or the first two letters of your house name> provides a simple and unique way of identifying your property. A person living at 7 West Albion Street, Notown, NT 42 9WA 7 A person living at Crossroads Cottage, High Street Anytown 3 1NZ would use AN3 1NZ CR.
If you don't know your postcode, ask your local post office.
How to Mark Your Property
There are several ways to mark your property depending on the type of object you want to mark.
The alternatives are:-
Engraving or Etching
Engraving or etching is suitable for many hard surfaces and can be done using an electric engraving tool or a hand engraver. This method leaves a visible and permanent mark.
Ultra Violet or 'Invisible' Marking
An Ultra-Violet (UV) pen can put an invisible mark on your property which can only be seen by using a UV lamp. Only use UV marking when other methods would reduce the value of the object. Remember that the mark can fade in time, especially when exposed to sunlight, and can be washed off so it needs renewing regularly.
Ceramic Marking
Ceramic marking pens have been developed to mark china, glass or any glazed surface. They do not cut or scratch the surface but leave a permanent mark.
Punching
You can mark heavier metal items such as lawn mowers with a hammer and a set of punches.
Where you mark your property is important - particularly if you are using the engraving method. If you want the mark to be out of sight, choose somewhere behind or underneath the article - but not somewhere so hidden that the police would not be able to find it.
If you use commercial property marking products the mark should be so secure that removal would deface the property or affect the performance of the article. Always include information which will identify the owner - eg, postcode.
You can get easy-to-use property marking kits from stationers and DIY Stores.
Marking and Registration Services
As an alternative, youmay wish to use one of the increasing number of commercial organisations offering property marking and asset registration services.
Neither the Home Office nor the police service supports or endorses any particular commercial product.
Keep A Record of your Property
Marking things like Jewellery or antiques is difficult and could reduce their value. You should get expert advice in these cases.
You can still protect items that can't be marked by keeping a record of them. A simple and effective way of doing this is to photograph each item, preferably in solour, paying special sttention to any distinguishing marks such as initials or crests which may be used to identify the item. Take the photograph against a plain background and include a ruler to give an idea of size.
Use a record form to keep a list of items youhave marked and where the marks are. It's a good idea to give a second copy of the list and the photographs to someone you trust for them to look after. Keep your own list safe at all times. Advertising the fact that your property has been marked may warn off theives. You can do this by displaying a 'Coded for Keeps' sticker anywhere a burgular might get in, for example on the doors and windows of your home.
For more advice on marking or protecting your property, contact your local police station.
For more information on Coded For Keeps please view the Home Office document.|