City of Cockburn, PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC, Western Australia, 6965
Telephone: (08) 9411 3444

Personal Property Registration

Recovering stolen property is almost impossible without it being marked with your information. Engraving or marking your property is easy to do and could help to deter burglars from stealing items, as they couldnt on sell them, or even help the police capturer the buglers.


There are a number of ways to mark your property, such as engraving, using permanent or Ultra Violet Light (can only be seen under a black light) markers and using commercial products such as Datadot. The use of the formentioned items should be used in conjunction with a property register.

 

Pros and Cons of Marking your Property

PROS

  • Reduce the chance of selling goods to legitimate secondhand dealers
  • Deter burglars from taking items from your home
  • In conjunction with the Neighborhood Watch property register items can be correctly itemized for insurance reasons.

CONS

  • Incorrect marking can't be easily removed
  • Marking with incorrect details could limit the possibility of getting the goods returned.
  • Marking placed on removable parts would be ineffective (such as a bicycle wheel rather than the frame)
  • UV pens minimalize the sight of the property marking, though may not always been seen by police or secondhand dealers.

Tips:

Numerous City of Cockburn libraries have marker pens available for hire.

Keep a copy of your property register at an alternative secure location in case of fire, or send a copy to your insurance company.