Any valuables on your boat?

We all have bits and pieces of personal items stored away on our boats that we would not want to lose. It might be a mobile phone, laptop, television or camera. However, after the event there is possibly little that you can do, other than hope that your items are somehow recovered.

Or is there?

Well you could make an inventory of the item identity numbers, model numbers or serial numbers . But then how can you make the inventory of numbers available to anyone who recovers a lost or stolen item.

Well, first of all there is the Immobilise system. Immobilise is the world's largest totally free register of possession ownership details and together with its sister sites the Police's NMPR system and  CheckMEND, together they form a very effective tool in helping to reduce crime and repatriate recovered personal property to its rightful owners. Immobilise can be used by members of the public and businesses to register their valued possessions or company assets, and exclusive to Immobilise all account holders registered items and ownership details are viewable on the Police national property database the NMPR.

The immobilise online checking service is used by all UK Police forces to trace owners of lost and stolen property. In addition Immobilise is checked daily by a huge range of recovery agencies and lost property offices. As a direct result of Immobilise there are over 250 cases a week where property is returned or information collected that assists the Police in investigating criminal activity involving stolen goods. Immobilise is also the only ownership registration service supported by all UK Police forces, the Greater London Authority, and the Mobile Phone Industry.

Have you ever purchased a secondhand item on ebay? 
Did the item belong to the person selling it? 
Is someone trying to rip you off?
Is it possibly stolen? 

CheckMEND is the world's largest database of over 150 billion records of property providing relevant information to purchasers of used goods. The information that CheckMEND searches against is updated in real-time every few minutes by law enforcement, insurers, industry bodies and the public in over 40 countries. It is the system used by the UK's phone recycling industry to help protect them from accepting or handling stolen goods, and helps achieve compliance with the Recycler Code of Practice. CheckMEND, is recommended by eBay and can be used by consumers globally who wish to check that goods like satnavs, mobile phones, iPods and computers, etc. are not stolen, counterfeit or blocked. CheckMEND can also help in the sale of an item as each check comes with an official CheckMEND report that can be provided to any potential buyer as proof that the item is legitimate and in many cases, achieve a superior price for the item.

For the Police, the free Immobilise property registration service is a very powerful tool in the fight against crime. Immobilise along with many other information sources is linked directly to the Police NMPR "National Mobile Property Register." The NMPR allows officers to search the serial numbers of recovered goods or suspected stolen property and then take action accordingly.

So lets say you start by creating an account on Immobilise and then adding your mobile phone. You will need your phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, which you can find by simply typing *#06# into your mobile phone. Plus make a note of the make and model. Then add a description, which could be the colour of the phone and colour of the case. Any distinguishing marks like scratches. I always scratch my door number and postcode on the inside of the battery cover. Its as easy as that. Plus, you might not have noticed that an item is already missing. By making an immobilise list, it could be a good reminder to check where things are stored. 

Later...