Immobilise your property this Christmas

There have been a fifth less burglaries this year in Bassetlaw, compared to last year, which is a tremendous example of the police and public working together.

However, we still have a large problem to tackle in reducing the market for stolen goods. Stealing and selling is one of the most common ‘careers’ of a drug addict to fund their habit.

In the run up to Christmas more people will be tempted to buy the latest mobile phone that is offered to them at a bargain price, or the latest in-car Sat Nav system or games console.

You may be offered ‘bargain’ items on a car boot sale, at a market, on your doorstep or even in your local pub. But think before you buy – is the bargain too good to be true? It probably is and by buying it you could be contributing to a criminal network.

This month a countywide campaign has been launched to reduce the sale of stolen goods.

One of the best ways you can help is by registering your property at a new website called www.immobilise.com.

Immobilise is the only national property register officially recognised by the police service and the Home Office.

You can register anything you own with a serial number such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, laptops or digital cameras.

All you have to do is register on the site, fill in your details and the serial numbers of your property and the site will create a personal database for your belongings.

In the event of your property being lost or stolen, you can update the website and inform the police that these items are now missing.

If a police officer recovers any lost or stolen property, they can now check Immobilise and find the rightful owner.

This will help to reduce the hundreds of unclaimed items we currently have in storage.

It will also mean we can prove immediately that something has been stolen and use the information as evidence to charge the individual in possession of it.

I understand that many of you may not have access to the Internet, particularly the elderly.

I am urging all parish councils that have Internet access to offer this service to your community. Why not hold a session before or after your monthly meeting for residents to register their property?

Thank you for your continued support in reducing and detecting crime. If you require any further advice on Immobilise please contact Crime Reduction Manager Janet Newton on 01909 500999 extension 3283.