This is Gloucestershire recently reported that cyclists who have had their bikes stolen had the opportunity to be reunited with them.
A cycle viewing and coding session was held at Cheltenham Police Station in Lansdown Road. The event was put on so people who have reported their bicycles stolen could see if they had been found by police.
It was also a chance for cyclists to find out more about protecting their bikes through the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR) which is accessed by the public via the www.immobilise.com website.
Police community support officer Kim Graham, who organised the event, said:
We now have more than 1,100 people who have registered through us with the NMPR thanks to the local cycle shops and police operations.
Officers were also security marking and encouraging cyclists to register their bikes on immobilise.
By visiting the website www.immobilise.com, a free, private and secure portfolio of personal property can be created and items added to the NMPR.
If the bike, or registered item, is then lost or stolen the website can be used to tell the police, insurers and the second-hand trade to help in finding it and catching the thief.
To read the source story please go to: http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/
 No Comments »
 BBC news yesterday reported that the West Midlands Police in Dudley have just unveiled a new tool in their drive to reduce crime. The device is a four wheeled pedal powered “Digi-bike”, providing a multimedia message to passersby, broadcasting Bluetooth and video and audio messages from its screens and speakers.
One of the key crime prevention messages that the digi-bike is promoting is the registration of your valued property on the Immobilise National Property Register (www.immobilise.com).
To view the BBC video go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10947119
To read the expanded BBC news story go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-black-country-10944247
No Comments »
Posted by: Neil Stewart in CheckMEND, CheckMEND USA, Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Recipero, ReportMyLoss
 Today July 23rd it was officially agreed that CheckMEND would be the first approved due diligence service to be used and officially endorsed under a new Home Office/recycling industry code of practice.
The signing of the new code of practice by over 90% of the mobile phone recycling industry means that for the first time there are agreed guidelines for the checking of handsets offered for sale to the industry and this includes using the CheckMEND service to check the National Mobile Phone/Property Register.
Adrian Portlock CEO of Recipero the operator of CheckMEND said:
This is a major step forward for the industry and CheckMEND and we are really pleased the industry has recognised their responsibilities in checking products they are buying, this model needs to be extended to all handlers of used goods and retailers taking trade ins and we will be pushing for this to be the case, but this is an excellent start.
For more information please see the following sites:
No Comments »
 Police in Leicester have visited over 500 homes in just two days as part of their commitment to reducing burglaries.
Police Community Support Officers have knocked on 523 doors, personally spoken to 324 residents about their home security and provided them with a burglary prevention pack in the Hinckley Road area of the city. At homes where there was no response, a pack was posted through the letterbox.
The main aim of the initiative is to encourage residents to register their property on the UK National Property Register, Immobilise, which is supported by all UK police forces. Members of the public can log on to www.immobilise.com to register the serial numbers of expensive electronic items such as televisions, laptops, mobile phones and MP3 players. These details will assist the police in tracing property and returning it to its owner in the event it is stolen.
Chief Inspector Chris Baker said:
Immobilise is a national database that’s free to use and takes just minutes to register your property. It is used by all police forces to assist in identifying the rightful owners of recovered stolen property. Whilst insurance may cover the cost of a stolen laptop, it cannot replace lost family photos or important work stored on it.
Where possible officers have spent time with homeowners to personally explain how the Immobilise scheme works and to discuss ways in which their home security can be improved. They have even offered to register their property for them during the visit. This has been well received and has hopefully reassured residents in the area that we take burglary very seriously.
The packs we have handed out also contain labels for electronic items to indicate that the property is registered with Immobilise and window stickers to deter burglars. Registering on the Immobilise website is just one small way in which residents in Leicester can help us to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of burglary.
In some case, officers have also arranged for residents to have a personal visit from Leicestershire Constabulary’s Crime Reduction Officer or referred them to the Council for free security improvements to their home.
The Immobilise initiative, which will be rolled out to other areas of the city over the summer months, forms part of Operation Itchen – a city-wide campaign to reduce burglaries. As well as increased high visibility patrols and the targeting of known offenders, a number of other initiatives will run throughout the summer in conjunction with the Safer Leicester Partnership.
Anyone with information about burglaries in Leicester is urged to call Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222 or Crimestoppers, and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
To read the source story in full please go to: www.leics.police.uk/
No Comments »
Posted by: Neil Stewart in Bikes, CheckMEND, CheckMEND USA, Crime, Immobilise, Immobitag, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Recipero, ReportMyLoss
Recipero’s CheckMEND service in conjunction with the Police’s NMPR system has proven to be a key tool in the identification and prosecution of crimes related to stolen goods.
On the 14th May, a man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for handling stolen goods. Alexander Smith, aged 40, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after a two year investigation conducted by Avon and Somerset Police’s burglary team and crime reduction unit in Bristol.
Officers were able to prove that Smith had been knowingly buying stolen mobile phones by utilising an online system known as CheckMEND. This system allows members of the public to check if a mobile phone is stolen before buying it.
Police searched a shop in East Street, Bedminster and identified more than 20 phones that were stolen from victims in both burglaries and robberies, many of which had occurred in the South Bristol area. A stolen pedal cycle was also found at Smith’s home address.
During one of these incidents, a female victim positively identified her stolen phone in Smith’s shop. Smith then demanded £40 from the victim before he would return her phone.
PC Frank Simonds, from Bristol Crime Reduction Unit, said:
The use of CheckMEND technology now allows the police to prove if stolen phones are being bought and sold by second hand retailers.
We will be relentless in our pursuit of those dealing in stolen goods.
Many phones that were proven to be stolen had been registered by owners on the Immobilise database. Registering phones enables the police to return them to their rightful owners.
Members of the public can register their phone for free by visiting www.immobilise.com
Members of the public can check if a mobile phone is stolen by visiting www.checkmend.com.
Retailers can receive advice on protecting their business from handling stolen goods as part of Operation Recover run by Avon and Somerset Police.
To read the source release in full please go to: Avon & Somerset Police
No Comments »
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: PLEASE NOTE THAT AS DATA FROM TRACE IS CURRENTLY BEING INTEGRATED WITH OUR SYSTEMS WE RECOMMEND USERS ALSO RUN A FREE SEARCH ON TRACE (www.trace.com) WHILST THE WORK IS COMPLETED.
CheckMEND the world’s largest due diligence service which is owned by Recipero is delighted to announce the recent acquisitions of two US centric businesses, the Trace due diligence system and PhoneHistoryReport the stolen phone checking service. The data from both businesses will be incorporated into the CheckMEND service over the next few weeks.
Both services will complement the existing CheckMEND service providing millions of new records to the CheckMEND website. Of particular note is that the acquisition of Trace will allow CheckMEND to access stolen property data from over 18,000 US law enforcement agencies vastly expanding their reach in the US market. Adrian Portlock CEO of Recipero commented:
These two acquisitions are strategically very important to us as we look to replicate the huge success of CheckMEND in the UK and Europe in the USA. We are already talking to a range of organisations who wish to use the new enhanced CheckMEND service in the US and we are very excited about the potential opportunities this provides to the US consumer buying and selling on sites such as EBay and Craig’s List.
No Comments »
 Avon & Somerset Police seized 15 bikes from a property in Burnham-on-Sea in early December, following a search of the premises by officers. The bikes were identified as stolen property and, although five have already been reunited with their owners, 10 are still languishing unclaimed in police custody as their owners couldn’t be traced.
Local officers are keen to remedy this and return the bikes to their owners. An open day is planned at Burnham-on-Sea Police Station on Saturday January 9, 2010 between 4.00 – 6.00pm. Anyone who has had a bike stolen are encouraged to attend to see if any of the cycles are their missing property.
However, PCSO Gill Bawler said:
We are really keen to reunite as many bikes with their owners as possible. I would also like to take the opportunity to encourage people, especially if you have had a new bike for Christmas, to register it on www.immobilise.com or get your property marked. If you get your bicycle security marked it dramatically increases the chances of it being returned should it be lost or stolen.
Further information regarding home security, property marking and crime prevention can be obtained from your local Safer Stronger Neighbourhood team. You can contact them by calling 0845 456 7000 or you can visit: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk and select the Crime Prevention heading.
To read the source story in full please go to: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/
No Comments »
 The Wincanton neighbourhood policing team has been out delivering festive message to its residents
More than 450 homes were visited by the team who spoke to residents about what steps to take to take for a crime-free Christmas. People at home were reminded not to tempt thieves by keeping presents out of sight, making sure their house is secure and that empty houses looked occupied by leaving a television or radio on and using timer switches on lights.
The day of activity, on Wednesday 9 December, was undertaken in partnership with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service who spoke to residents about fire prevention this winter. Residents were asked to ensure smoke alarms were fitted and working, reminded not to overload power sockets and advised to check their Christmas tree lights before putting them up.
Where there was no answer at houses an advice leaflet was posted through its door.
The event was organised by Police Constable Sara Stephenson, the beat manager for Bruton. Speaking afterwards, Sara said:
Christmas is a special time for people to relax and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Becoming a victim of crime at Christmas can spoil the festive period so we have been out reminding people how to avoid being targeted this year. The message was well received by the residents we spoke to and I am confident most will act on the advice we gave.
Top tips for staying safe:
- Lock up and set the alarm in the evening as well as when you go out
- Seem in when you’re out by setting a timer switch to turn the lights on at dusk
- Post code your valuables and register them for free at www.immobilise.com – it could help convict a burglar and return your property
- Keep your keys and handbag or wallet hidden safely out of sight
- Don’t advertise your property to thieves: hide Christmas presents and don’t put boxes out for rubbish collection, bag them first
- Join or set up Neighbourhood Watch
- Call police immediately if you see anything you think is suspicious
- Make sure ladders and tools are secured otherwise a thief could use them to break into your home.
To view the source article please go to: Avon and Somerset Police Website
No Comments »
ChiswickW4 has reported that a man who was found in possession of a bike that was stolen from Chiswick has today, Friday 4th December, been convicted at Isleworth Crown Court.
36 year old Hampsted resident Rocky Taylor was found riding a bike that had been stolen from outside Turnham Green Tube Station in November 2008.
When officers from Turnham Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team searched his flat, they found numerous cycles and parts.
Computer analysis linked Mr Taylor to numerous internet advertisements for second hand bikes. Some of these bikes turned out to be stolen from burglaries and from the street.
A lengthy investigation led to Mr Taylor being charged with several offences of being in possession of criminal property, to which he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
Taylor was sentenced to a total of 6 months imprisonment, which was suspended for two years. As well as this, he was ordered to undertake 200 hours community work and pay £750 costs. Taylor was also prohibited from using, buying or selling cycles and cycle parts for a period of two years.
After sentencing, PS Ben Clark of Turnham Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team, told ChiswickW4.com,
What began as a simple bike theft in Chiswick led us across London and uncovered an Aladdin’s cave of bikes and bike parts.
We will continue to target cycle thieves in Chiswick, and we will endeavour to prosecute those who trade in stolen goods. It is worth noting that the cycles we were able to return to their rightful owners quickly were all registered on Immobilise.
By registering your cycle, we are able to get it back to you and it helps us to prosecute criminals, as it can help prove that the goods were stolen and not bought legitimately.
Information on immobilise can be found on www.immobilise.com
To read the source article please go to: www.chiswickw4.com
No Comments »
Posted by: Neil Stewart in CheckMEND, Crime, FoneASSIST, Immobilise, Immobilize, Immobitag, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Recipero, ReportMyLoss
The Times recently published an interesting article that is of particular relevance to the Immobilise National Property Register. Richard Ford, a Home Correspondent for the times reported that the latest recorded crime figures support the theory that the in a recession property crimes such as burglary and personal theft increase while violent offences fall.
Keith Bristow, chief constable of Warwickshire, said:
Crime has traditionally increased following periods of economic recession and the three per cent rise in domestic burglary compared to the same period last year is a reminder that we all must remain vigilant.
The Times article contains several interesting facts and statistics and can be found at:
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6885455.ece
No Comments »
|
Entries (RSS)