Recording serial numbers helps reduce crime

Help break the burglar's business by keeping copies of the serial numbers of all your property.

• Keeping a list of serial numbers will provide you and Police with a concise and quick checklist of what's been stolen

• Store a second copy of your serial numbers at work or a friends house
• Police can quickly enter the serial numbers of your stolen goods on their database and cross-reference with recovered goods. This means a higher rate of burglary/theft type arrests.
• As more people record serial numbers, more goods will be recovered and returned to their legal owners
• A crack down on burglars' income will reduce the rate of burglary by putting the burglars "out of business"
• This will also reduce rates of more serious and violent crime in the district as studies show burglars tend to "graduate" on to more serious crimes the longer they are in the "business"

Burglars will try to sell stolen goods through various outlets, including:

• Flea markets
• Classified ads
• Direct approaches to sports clubs or public bars
• Through a "friend of a friend"
• On-line

Receiving or buying stolen goods is illegal and helps keep burglars in business, so proceed with caution when buying second-hand goods. Look for the following indicators to determine whether the goods are stolen or not:

• Serial numbers - have they been removed?
• Where are you buying from - a legitimate store/on-line service or have you had an unsolicited approach from a stranger?
• What's the asking price - real cheap?
• How quickly does the seller want to close the deal?
• Is the seller willing to give you any of his/her contact details?
• How do they want to be paid - cash or cheque?

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