Crime, Immobilise, NMPR, Police, Report My Loss

Immobilise helps South Yorkshire Police reduce property crime

South Yorkshire has claimed a major success on crimes such as burglary and car theft following the recent release of new crime figures. The new figures show that house burglaries in South Yorkshire were at their lowest level in 30 years and that the number of car thefts were at their lowest since records began in 1974.

The statistics also reveal that in the year to March, 29 per cent of all serious acquisitive crimes committed in the county were solved and that crimes of that type were down 11 per cent on 2009/10.

South Yorkshire Police said it had developed specialist teams of detectives to focus specifically on burglary, robbery and vehicle crime.

Technology used at the scenes of burglaries and car crimes has moved on quickly with forensic officers now using shoe match identification as well as DNA and fingerprints.

Intelligence on crime trends and active criminals is also used to deploy officers to priority areas across South Yorkshire, and officers are engaged in “offender management” which involves curfew checks and application of bail conditions to limit re-offending.

Supt Tim Innes, South Yorkshire Police’s lead officer for serious acquisitive crime, said:

Despite record performance for South Yorkshire, it’s critical that we keep the focus on this area of crime which can be emotionally and financially devastating for victims.

Our success is based upon some key factors.

Effective use of intelligence, management of offenders, working with partners and communities, quality investigation, and providing a responsive service day in, day out.

I would like to recognise the hard work of our staff who do a tremendous job across all departments and agencies.

I would also like to thank the public who are reporting crime, marking, securing and recording their property, and providing valuable information to help us track down criminals.

We have had some tremendous success in identifying stolen goods and I would like to remind everyone in South Yorkshire to log their property on websites such as www.immobilise.com which help reunite stolen items with their owners.

To read the source article please go to: Yorkshire Post

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Report My Loss

‘Lock it or lose it’ warn Harrogate police

Harrogate police are urging residents to ‘lock it or lose it’ after a recent increase in the number of burglaries and car break-ins.

Officers believe that the rise can be combated with the help of the community who can help reduce further offences by taking preventative security measures.

Although the district has enjoyed falling figures in crimes such as robbery, sexual offences and thefts from outbuildings, burglary and theft from vehicles remains an issue which officers are keen to stamp out.

Sergeant Geoff Crocker, of Harrogate Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:

Harrogate is one of the safest towns in the safest county in the country, however some people’s complacency over crime prevention is making life easy for criminals.

We have to act now to ensure that offenders don’t have it their own way. Make life difficult for them, most thieves are opportunistic – if they see an unsecured door or window they will be in.

What they don’t like is a challenge, it is vital that people take the proper security measures to ensure that their houses or cars are as difficult as possible to get into.

Over half of burglaries occur at properties that have been left insecure and these offences could have easily been prevented by closing windows and locking doors.

Sgt Crocker also pointed out that burglaries where offenders force entry to a property are almost exclusively committed at homes which don’t have burglar alarms fitted. He added:

While investigating a recent burglary, I noticed that the offenders had climbed over several garden fences of neighbouring properties to get to the house. All the surrounding properties had burglar alarms, the house that was burgled did not.

Laptops, jewellery and car keys were stolen from the house and Sgt Crocker is urging residents to consider the loss of possessions and inconvenience against the cost of having adequate security measures installed.

Thefts from unattended vehicles have also gone up in Harrogate, mainly because many people are still leaving their cars unlocked.

Laptops, iPhones, Blackberrys and wallets have all been stolen from insecure vehicles recently, in thefts that could have been easily prevented by locking the door and removing valuable items from view. Sgt Crocker said:

The lack of security awareness shown by some motorists is staggering, the vast majority of thefts from vehicles have come as a result of the car being left unlocked.

Thieves are simply walking along the road or up driveways looking for vehicles that have been left insecure.

We really need to get the message across: lock your car, remove all valuable property and leave nothing on view.

Police are urging the residents of Harrogate to work with them to make life tough for criminals and help reduce the number of burglaries and thefts occurring in the town.

Local Safer Neighbourhood officers are always happy to give crime prevention advice and everyone can do their bit to ensure their homes and cars are secure.

Sgt Crocker added:

We need to ensure firstly that thieves aren’t getting an easy steal and secondly that they have an increased risk of getting caught.

The first part of this has to come from the community by observing basic security procedures including using locks that they already have.

The second part is down to the police, to relentlessly pursue criminals, put them before the courts and continue to reduce crime in Harrogate District.

Sgt Crocker has offered his top 10 crime prevention tips to residents wishing to guard against burglary and theft:

  • Remove all valuables from your vehicle and ensure it is locked.
  • Keep keys in a safe place, out of reach of doors and windows.
  • Get a burglar alarm fitted preferably from a SSAIB or NSI approved company.
  • Part set your alarm before going to bed.
  • Photograph expensive jewellery, mark it with Smartwater and keep it in a safe.
  • Photograph and mark expensive antiques and pictures.
  • Create an immobilise account at www.immobilise.com and record your possessions on the database.
  • Join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
  • Check your door lock. If it does not show kite mark BS3621, contact the police, a locksmith or your NHW coordinator.
  • If you see something suspicious report it

To visit North Yorkshire Police’s Website go to: http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6736

Crime, Immobilise, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Police, Report My Loss

There’s safety in numbers – registration numbers

The Immobilise National Property Register is Website of the day on Pocket-lint, the UK’s largest independent gadget news and reviews site.

The article by Ian Hugh’s writing for Pocket-lint follows and further emphasises the advantages of using the Immobilise service.

Stuff. We love it, you love it. In fact, we just can’t get enough of it. Pocket-Lint probably wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for our love of stuff, so when some thieving little scrote decides to shimmy up your drainpipe and help himself to some of your stuff, it’s a bit of a kick in the teeth.

There are a few things you can do to protect your prized possessions: burglar alarms, decent locks, a starved Rottweiler chained to your 50-inch plasma. But one of the simplest things you can do is to make your stuff less desirable.

We’re not talking about gouging a four-inch scratch across your iPad screen either. What we mean is by registering all your gadgets and gizmos at immobilise, you stand half a chance of getting your stuff back if it does get lifted. More importantly, put a sticker in your window and the shifty little toe-rags will probably give your place a miss anyway – if they get caught with stuff registered on this site, they’re almost certainly looking forward to a long holiday in a very small room with a large sweaty man called Bubba.

Get registered and get your stuff protected at www.immobilise.com. You know it makes sense.

To read the orginal article that was published on Pocket-lint on 18th May 2011 go to:http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/40070/register-your-gadgets-and-gizmos

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Police, Students

Greater Manchester Police launch Beat the Bike Thief campaign

Rochdale Online had reported that teams of police officers across Greater Manchester will be putting the brakes on bike theft with the launch of the new Beat the Bike Thief campaign.

Student cyclists across Greater Manchester are being urged to saddle up and beat the bike thieves by taking advantage of free bike security schemes, following the theft of more than 5,200 pedal bikes last year.

Between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, 5,265 bikes were stolen from across Greater Manchester – a nine per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

Over the next few weeks, students will be invited to attend a series of bike security marking events across Greater Manchester. Police officers will give out a limited number of free bike locks to cyclists without adequate security on a first come, first served basis, along with discount vouchers for the Bike Doctor, Manchester, and bike security advice.

In this latest effort to stamp out bike theft, officers will also target thieves by using a number of decoy bikes to track down offenders, along with increased patrols in hotspot areas. In addition, officers will also be on the lookout for bikes with similar descriptions to those stolen, stop-checking anyone who might be riding one. Should a bike turn out to be stolen, they could be arrested.

Detective Chief Inspector Julian Snowball, of GMP’s Serious Crime division, said:

This is a great opportunity to help put the brakes on bike theft by getting your bikes security marked free of charge.

Bikes are expensive so will always be a target for thieves, especially if they aren’t secured or only have a standard lock. We would like to encourage students, where possible, to use the official cycle racks covered by CCTV. However, if they are not available secure it to a heavy or bulky object that can’t be moved.

You can also register your bike at www.immobilise.com, which is an online database linked to police property systems that will help us reunite you with your bike should it be stolen and later found. By advertising that your bike’s identity has been registered, it becomes far less attractive to thieves.

As part of the campaign, posters will go up in cycle shops, universities, colleges, public buildings, schools, sports centres and other eye-catching places. In addition, bike hangers, with a discount voucher for secure locks and crime prevention advice, will be hung on parked bikes in universities and colleges.

Based around the slogan ‘Beat The Bike Thief’, the poster and hanger remind cyclists to always secure bikes with a good quality chain or lock when not in use, making it much more difficult to steal.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/56043/police-put-the-brakes-on-bike-theft

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Police

Police urge cyclists don’t give thieves an easy ride

The Morpeth Herald has reported that Northumberland Police are urging cyclists to stop thieves having an easy ride when it comes to stealing bikes.

The warning comes after a recent increase in the number of bikes being targeted by thieves in the area. Figures show that since January 1 this year there have been 69 pedal cycles stolen in the county – 56 of them were left unattended and insecure.

Northumberland Crime Prevention Advisor Del Graham said:

Always lock your bike when you leave it – even if it is only for a minute.

Store it in a shed or garage where possible and always use a quality padlock or chain to secure your bike.

Cyclists can register their bikes at www.immobilise.com which is a property register scheme supported by Northumbria Police. They should also consider getting their bike security marked so if it is stolen and recovered it can be returned.

We run a number of free bike marking events in the county so check the police website (www.northumbria.police.uk) for details of one in your area.

And finally, record the serial number of the bike and photograph it. If it is stolen this could really help officers track it down and return it.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/don_t_give_thieves_an_easy_ride_1_3348846

Crime, NMPR, Police, Recipero

Recipero and Trace secure continuation of access to the FBI Stolen Articles file

Recipero is pleased to announce that the CJIS sub- committee that controls access to the FBI Stolen Articles file on the NCIC database has unanimously agreed that the arrangement to supply the information to the Trace service operated by Recipero should be made permanent and will recommend this to the full committee at its next meeting.

Les Gray, Recipero IT Director who attended the meeting in St Louis Missouri along with Ken Bouche, Recipero’s USA law enforcement liaison said:

“We are delighted that the FBI can see the value of providing this data to allow the public to check if an item they are buying is recorded as stolen with them. It helps enormously to cut down the markets for the disposal of stolen goods including online auction and classified sites. The moral here is if you are buying used goods check them with us first and if you are selling stolen goods beware as you may well be caught out”

Notes for readers: The NCIC file is a file of stolen property that is contributed to by all the USA law enforcement agencies. Recipero receives a copy of the entries that have the make model and serial number of the stolen item along with the name of the originating agency. This allows Recipero to operate the FREE USA Trace system at www.tracechecker.com and also to search the information in their CheckMEND life history report service.

For more information please go to: www.tracechecker.com

Crime, Immobilise, Police, Report My Loss

Police warning over Bank Holiday crime

The Retford times has reported that with warmer weather expected over the extended bank holidays, police are reminding people to keep their homes safe from burglars.

One in three burglaries take place when thieves simply walk in through unlocked doors, or reach in to steal items through open windows.

Darren Surgey, one of Notts Police’s crime reduction managers, said:

While burglaries at insecure properties is not typically seasonal, we often see an increase when the weather is warmer.

With extended time off work due to bank holidays, people are more likely to be spending time outside, which can increase the risk of leaving doors unlocked and windows open. It only takes a second for a burglar to walk in through an open door and steal goods.

We would like to remind people that thieves are often opportunists who may try a door to see if they can get inside. Lock your doors whether you are inside or not, and don’t leave anything valuable on view within reach of an open window.

By taking a few simple steps, you can help protect your home:

  • Ensure your doors are locked to prevent a burglar from ‘walking in’.
  • Close your windows when you go out and always ensure valuable items are not left on view or within easy reach.
  • Look in when you’re out – use a timer switch to make your lights come on at night.
  • Set your burglar alarm.
  • Remove keys from view and don’t leave them in the lock or on a hall table.
  • Visit www.immobilise.com to register your items on a free property website.
  • As it gets dark, draw curtains or close blinds to prevent rooms from being visible to anyone outside.
  • Ask for proof of identity before letting anyone into your home.
  • Join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

If you have any information about those responsible for committing burglaries, call police on 0300 3009999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Don-t-let-crime-rise-temperature/article-3497010-detail/article.html

Recipero

Telegraph Tech Start-up 100 judge Recipero as Best Bootstrapped/non-VC funded company

Recipero is delighted to have been the recipient of a judges’ special mention naming us the “Best Bootstrapped/non-VC funded company” last night at the “Telegraph Tech Start-Up 100: Class of 2011” awards ceremony.

The awards were given to notable companies in a range of sectors and were judged by a panel of experts including venture capitalists and angel investors. The panel was supported by a team of analysts, including associates from Balderton Capital, Accel Partners, DFJ Esprit and others, who helped to define the criteria and methodology the judges used in their deliberations.

Neil Stewart, Recipero’s Commercial Director who attended the awards said:

“I am delighted that Recipero has received this special recognition, it means a great deal to everyone involved in the company and is something that we are all very proud of. Getting to this point has certainly had its challenges, but it continues to be a great business to be part of esspecially as we expand further into Europe and the USA.”

For more information about the Telegraph Start-up 100 including details of the category and overall winners please go to: www.telegraph.co.uk/startup100

If you are interested in the methodology behind the selection please see: www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/technology-startup100/8397541/Start-Up-100-let-judging-commence.html

For more information about Recipero please go to: www.recipero.com

CheckMEND, Immobilise, Immobilize, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Recipero, Report My Loss

Guardian – UK Police get quicker stolen mobile phone check

The Guardian News paper has reported that Police officers have been given a faster method of checking whether a mobile phone has been stolen, with a new link between the National Mobile PropertyRegister (NMPR) and the Police National Computer (PNC).

The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has integrated the NMPR into the PNC. This will make it possible for officers on the beat to access the NMPR directly through their handheld devices.

Detective chief superintendent Mick McNally of the Metropolitan Police Territorial Policing Command said:

For the first time frontline officers can now obtain instantaneous results of searches on suspected stolen mobile phones.

The figures of 50,000 plus stolen phones a year being located and identified throughout the UK will further increase with this new Police National Computer facility. It sends a clear message to phone thieves that police and partners can identify stolen mobile phones in the hands of the thief or another individual.

The NPIA developed the integration with the help of Recipero the providers of the NMPR and Immobilise services which specialise in online compliance and due diligence software.

To read the source article please go to: Guardian News paper

To visit the NMPR (police) go to: http://thenmpr.com

To visit Immobilise (public) go to: www.immobilise.com

For more information about Recipero please go to: www.recipero.com

CheckMEND, CheckMEND USA, Immobilise, Recipero, Report My Loss

Telegraph Newspaper select Recipero as one of Europe’s Top 100 Technology Start-ups

Recipero is very pleased to announce that it has been chosen by the Telegraph Newspaper as one of Europe’s Top 100 Technology Start-Ups and has moved into the final round of judging.

The Telegraph has collected and filtered some of the most exciting Tech companies from all over Europe and over the past 6 months a panel of expert judges has whittled that list down to just a hundred that make up the “Telegraph Tech Start-Up 100: Class of 2011“.

Recipero is being considered in the category of “Enterprise: Security, Storage, Collaboration, Databases” along with 15 other Tech Companies that make up the 100. The overall winner, runner-up and the individual category winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on 12 April.

The “Telegraph Tech Start-Up 100” is a relatively new list, but attempts to be the most reliable, authoritative and trustworthy guide to exciting young tech companies throughout Europe. It is judged by a panel of world-class industry experts, serial entrepreneurs, investors and the like, who are themselves judged have the knowledge and experience to give an expert and realistic opinion. For more about the Telegraph Tech Start-Up 100 please go to: www.telegraph.co.uk/startup100

Ross Stewart Chairman of Recipero said:

“we are delighted that our hard work and enterprise has been recognised by the judges of this competition. As a privately funded company with no outside VC type investors it is quite hard to get noticed in the Technology sector but this should start to make people aware of what we do and how successful we are at doing it.”

For more information about the Telegraph Start-up 100 please go to: www.telegraph.co.uk/startup100

If you are interested in the methodology behind the selection please see: www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/technology-startup100/8397541/Start-Up-100-let-judging-commence.html

For more information about Recipero please go to: www.recipero.com