Operation Identification   Neighbourhood Watch Operation Identification is still one of the best Crime Prevention weapons we have against criminals. Anyone can and should be involved in Operation Identification, even if you are not in a Neighbourhood Watch area yet.

WHAT IS OPERATION IDENTIFICATION?

Operation Identification is a project designed to discourage the theft of valuables from your home. This is achieved by you the householder placing an identifying mark on your items of value, that could be stolen. Participating in this project will lessen the likelihood of your property being stolen, but in the event of this happening, the chances of your property being recovered by the Police and returned to you, will increase. This identification can also give the Police a greater chance of tracing the property back to the thief also. 
  Use an Engraver or marking pen on all valuable items.

WHAT SHOULD BE MARKED ON PROPERTY?

The Police recommend you mark your property with your driver's licence number, preceded with your initials then your licence number.

               What do you do if you don't have a driver's licence number?

"PROOF OF AGE CARD" - A NUMBER FOR LIFE.

You may wish to purchase your own engraver or UV marking pen, and these are available at reasonable cost from most good security stores or major hardware stores.. The UV Security marking is an inferior method of marking but it does have its place.   Try and discourage the over use of the UV pen.   The UV pen should ONLY be used on items that cannot be engraved.   CD's can  successfully be engraved  by keeping the engraving as close to the centre as possible and away from the recorded tracks.

The UV lamp is in fact a normal torch that comes with a white fluorescent tube on the side and a bright globe at the front.   I have found that the UV pen marking needs to be done again after about two or three years.   Art work is ideal for UV pen application and I know that several businesses and Security Companies use this method to mark items and money when they suspect an employee is stealing from the boss

Some items such as antiques, paintings, jewellery etc. Should be photographed. When you have completed your property marking and returned the engraver you will receive an OPERATION IDENTIFICATION sticker. You should display this sticker in a prominent position e.g. front door or window to indicate all items of value in your home have been marked for quick identification by the Police. Most Police Stations also carry UV lights to identify marked property in an effort to return it to the owner.  

WILL THIS REALLY DETER A THIEF?

If a thief knows the property in your home is clearly marked he/she is unlikely to select your dwelling as a target. Further, property marked has a reduced resale value to the 'fence' making your property less attractive. Marked property is also easier to identify. At times when stolen property has been located, it has been your word against theirs, but if the property is marked you can easily identify it. The police have used these identification markings to help them convict criminals by tracing property back to the crime and the owner.  

WHAT SHOULD BE MARKED? 

Items listed are the most common to be stolen from houses, It is important that they are marked regardless of value.

HOME CHECKLIST

Television sets Video Equipment Cassette recorder Radios Computer Equipment Electronic Games Compact Disc player Compact discs - CDs Musical instruments Antiques Binoculars Cameras - including Video Cameras Guns Sporting Goods Furniture Metal Lock boxes Stereos Power Tools Kitchen appliances Bicycles Lawn mower Clocks telephones tools

VEHICLE CHECKLIST

Radio * Hub caps * Speakers * Tapes * Ma wheels * Tools * Tape deck/CD player * Battery * Tool box *

WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH?

Not all items are suitable for marking by engraver or UV pen. The following items should be photographed, with a ruler alongside them to provide a scale. In fact if you can, photograph or video everything of value in the house. You can also use this as proof of identification and ownership for your insurance company.

Silverware Antiques Watches Furs etc. Paintings Collections.

Part of Operation Identification is Maintaining a "Property List". List all household and personal effects.

Item Make Serial Number Value Description of Article To include dents, scratches or any individual marks of recognition. Please keep your Property list in a safe and secure place. Remember to add new purchases to the list, and engrave them. You may wish to send a copy of the list to your Insurance company.

MAKE A LIST OF ALL ITEMS

Marking your valuables reduces the risk of losing them, increases the possibility of regaining them should they be stolen and assists the Police to trace the goods back to the offender in many cases.

The recent and successful "Operation Pendulum" was responsible for the recovery of almost one million dollars in stolen goods. Unfortunately most of these goods could not be returned because they were not marked.       
  

   ENGRAVE IT AND SAVE IT !