PROPERTY MARKING

Thieves take advantage of the fact that unless the police can prove to a Court who the real owner of property is, there is little chance of their being convicted. They are wary of stealing property which they know that the police can identify.

Marking your possessions with your post code and number or name of your home is not only a practical deterrent to thieves, it is the only way items recovered by the Police can be returned to their rightful owners.

The means of marking depends on the item material, size and intrinsic value. The following methods are available for domestic use:

• Security Marker Pen (see Products) a low cost item, easily applied, barely visible in day light, becomes visible when subjected to an ultra violet light when it fluoresces.
  

• Diamond tipped engraver - the scriber is supplied with a stencil for permanently marking glass, ceramics, metals and plastics. Suitable for fragile or valuable items. Available from Markitwise, Shelsley Walsh, Worcs WR6 6RR or visit their web site for more information. A power tool version is also in most ironmongers and hardware shops.
  

• Engraving with an engraving machine, very clear but can be removed which is obvious but remains a deterrent to thieves.
  

• Etching (acid) - Apart from standard kit a specific template has to be obtained, tampering very apparent.
  

• Smart Water comes in liquid form, each consignment containing a single and unique marker, analogous to the DNA technology, which requires sophisticated laboratory tests to determine the code. This is then referred to a central registry to identify owner. A kit is available to protect up to thirty items in the home for £35, which includes a twelve month subscription to the central database. Other kits are available to mark motor vehicles, see the SmartWater web site for further details.

Page content last updated on 2004-10-26