FOR those of us with access to a computer I would like to promote a website called www.immobilise.com which allows you to record details of your possessions in case they are stolen or lost, and it’s free of charge!

Immobilise is supported by the Home Office and used by the majority of UK police forces.

It allows individuals to create a database of their personal property including serial numbers and even photos. The database is accessible to police forces nationally, and if that recorded property is lost or stolen, it can be flagged as such on the website by the user. This alerts officers should they subsequently recover property and allows them to check it against the database.

There are two ways for the police to check the database. West Mercia Police has several mobile scanners which can be taken with officers when they conduct searches or execute warrants.

The scanners read bar codes on mobile phones and other electrical items and search the Immobilise website, alerting officers if the items have been reported lost or stolen.

Staff can also search the database once they have registered and have been provided with a password. To ensure the security of the database this password will only ever be sent to an official police email address.

Finally, I would also like to encourage you to ‘property mark’ your valuables using ultra- violet pens, special tamper resistant labels or a forensic marking system.

Generally they utilise a water based substance that you dab on any item from a TV to a ring.

While invisible to the eye, the mark will glow under ultra-violet light and can be analysed to identify the legitimate owner.

There are a number of forensic marking products available and more information is available on the force website: www.west mercia.police.uk.

INSPECTOR PAUL CROWLEY, KIDDERMINSTER POLICE