Holly's tips for a safe autumn

Hopefully, you will have been looking after your possessions over the summer months. 

There has been a small increase in the theft of bicycles, so mark them as yours for a safe return if it gets taken from you.  The best way to avoid theft, is to make your property secure.

This months tips:-

PROPERTY MARKING

Marking your property can deter thieves and help the police to get your property back to you if it is stolen.

HOW SAFE ARE POSSESSIONS?

Do you own things of sentimental value which would be impossible to replace? Or things which could be replaced but at a cost?

Your possessions may mean a lot to you but to a thief they are just another way of making easy cash.  The best thing to do is to protect your property against the thief.  But if someone did steal things, could you describe them fully and accurately to the police?  It’s not as easy as it sound 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 dispose of.  It also helps the police to return your property if it is found.

HOW TO POSTCODE YOUR PROPERTY

Your postcode, plus your house or flat number (or the first two letters of your house name) provides a simply and unique way of identifying your property.

A person living at 7 West Albion Street, Anytown, AN3 1NZ
would mark their property: “AN3 1NZ 7”

If you don’t know your postcode, contact the postcode hotline: 0345 111 222.

METHODS OF MARKING 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 pen (UV) can put an invisible mark on your property which can only be seen using a UV lamp.  Only use UV marking when other marking 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 and 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 – 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, you may wish to use one of the increasing numbers of commercial organisations offering property marking and asset registration services.

KEEP A RECORD OF VALUABLE PROPERTY

Marking things like jewellery or antiques is difficult and could reduce their value.  You should get expert advice in these cases.

It is a good idea to keep a record of those items which cannot be marked.  A simple and effective way of doing this is to photograph each item, preferably in colour, paying special attention 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.

Keep a list of the items you have 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 can 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 thieves.  You can do this by displaying a “Coded for Keeps” sticker anywhere the burglar might get in, for example on the doors and windows of your home.