Should I be thinking of having my valuables property marked?

A response by Jon Caldwell, Security Consultant, at Caldwell Security.

More Blogs available at https://caldwellsecurity.co.uk/blog.

It is strongly recommended that those with high-value property, that is desirable to Criminals, should seriously consider having those items of property marked.  This might include marking pedal cycles, electrical equipment, expensive paintings, or antiques, important documents, potentially jewellery, but be careful not to damage the items and reduce their value.

Firstly, create an inventory of all items you regard as having a high value, either monetary value, or sentimental value.  If any item has a serial number, note this in the inventory.  Then take photographs, from different angles, and copy the photographs into the inventory.  Make a note of the description, colour, make, and any distinguishing features of the item.  All of this will be very useful if the item is stolen, and you need to report the theft to the Police, and your Insurance Company.

Then consider whether you can mark the item of value with your Post Code, either by writing, stamping, or etching, the security Postcode onto items of property.  Each UK property has a Postcode, and by adding your house number, flat number, or the first two letters of the house name, this gives a unique security code, which will enable the Police to reunite the item, if found in possession of the Thief, or if sold on to a legitimate purchaser.

It is important to also use ‘warning signs’ on the building, and also labels on the property, to show the item has been marked.  As a basic security measure this is likely to deter any Criminal from trying to burgle the building, and to look elsewhere to commit the crime.  Property that is clearly and obviously marked, is less attractive to the Thief, as it is more difficult to sell.

There are a range of, commercially available, property marking products, and those which are recommended by the Police ‘Secure by Design’ (www.securedbydesign.com) and use the principles of designing out crime, by using effective crime prevention and security standards, for a range of applications.

Forensic marking is a colourless liquid solution that can be applied to your valuable items, such as jewellery, ornaments, electrical items, and even vehicles.  The liquid solution gives your property a unique chemical ‘code’, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, and is very difficult to remove.  The solution glows under ultraviolet light, allowing the Police to detect it, and is well known to Criminals, and so acts as a deterrent.  But it is important to ensure you have ‘warning signs’ informing potential Thieves that your property is marked.

The use of Ultraviolet Pens has been recommended, as a crime prevention method, by the Police, for many years, and is a very low-cost solution, with UV Pens being available from most Stationers, and on-line.  The UV Pen allows you to mark your valuables with your Postcode, although there is a problem that the UV ink fades over time, if subject to direct sunlight.  This can be reduced by marking underneath an item, or to refresh the marking whenever it has faded.

There are a range of etching methods, either using a hand, or electric tool to etch a Postcode into the surface of an item, but it is usually recommended that it is far better to use a professional system, that meets Police approved standards, to reduce the risk of damage to the item.

Chemical etching can also be used, which provides a tamper resistant, adhesive stencil, that includes a unique code, and the contact number for the secure Database Register.  You simply stick the stencil onto the item, and apply an etching compound over the cut outs.  The compound chemically reacts with the surface of the product, and permanently marks it, with the unique code, and Database Contact Number.

For very small items you may consider using Microdot, Chemical, or DNA Marking systems.  It is important to choose a system that meets the Police recognised standards.  The advantage of synthetic DNA, Microdot, and other Chemical marking systems, is that it can be used to mark just about anything, without damaging the item.  It is easy to apply, and almost impossible to remove.  It is important to do your research to find the right product for you, and to consider the cost of using these systems, and the cost of the Manufacturers Database Register.  These items are supplied with tamper resistant stickers, and signs, warning the Criminal the item has been property marked, to act as a deterrent.

Another option is Property Tagging, using an electronic transponder (known as a Tag, RFID chip, or Microchip), that is small enough to be hidden somewhere on the item of property.  Each transponder has a unique code, that can be read using a hand-held scanner used by the Police.  This property marking system is usually used on office equipment, computers, and other electrical items.  The system is also supplied with tamper resistant stickers to act as a deterrent.

You may wish to consider booking a Consultation with Caldwell Security, who will be able to give suitable advice on property marking, as part of the low-cost Crime Prevention Security Survey.  More information is available by clicking HERE

Caldwell Security Consultants will provide, no obligation, security mitigation recommendations, but they do not provide installation, or supply, of any security products.