Security Marking

It is advisable that you mark all your valuable household items with your house number and postcode.

Special ultra violet property marking pens are available in most good DIY stores and security retail outlets. You can also purchase special engraving kits. Sutton library has marking kits available at a modest cost.

The Crime Prevention Officer can provide stickers that you can display warning thieves that the equipment and valuables have been marked.

List your valuable items with serial numbers and a short description. Take photos or videos of items such as jewellery and keep them with your insurance policy. You will have a better chance of getting your property back after a burglary.

In offices, all equipment should be security coded and a sticker attached advising potential thieves that the equipment is so marked.

Most Insurance companies will expect householders to have made basic security arrangements before insuring contents. The Association of British Insurers have produced an Information Sheet entitled "Beat the Burglar" which gives useful advice on how to stop you being the next burglary victim.

Every year the Police recover stolen items that cannot be returned to their owners, as they cannot be identified. Read the article on the Metropolitan Police Imaging system in conjunction with this one .