Property marking machine can help to deter thieves

Gardaí who recover what they believe to be stolen property often can’t reunite the items and their owners – for the simple reason that they cannot identify who the owner is.

However, there are machines that can put a permanent identifying mark on items – an eircode for example – meaning that gardaí can easily trace to whom they belong.

Just such a Crime Prevention Property Marking Machine has been purchased by the Westmeath Public Participation Network (WPPN) in order to support its more than 820 community and voluntary group members in Westmeath.

Eighteen volunteers from WPPN member groups, along with community gardaí, have now been trained to operate the machine, which is being unveiled this Saturday.

Brigid Geoghegan, resource worker with WPPN, says that in Westmeath, theft from community groups, clubs and individuals – particularly of equipment and machinery – has been one of the commonest offences reported to the gardaí.

However, she adds, if signs are erected in an area declaring that property has been marked with permanent identification marking, items are less likely to be targeted by thieves.

This new machine engraves a permanent identifier (usually an eircode) on any surface except glass. It can be used on everything from sports equipment, computers, tools and bicycles to farm machinery.

These trained volunteers can use the property marking system to engrave or mark equipment not just for groups and clubs, but individuals in their locality.

The vision is that the machine will be lent out to a voluntary group in an area, such as a Men’s Shed or Tidy Towns group. The group will firstly mark items it wants to protect, and it will then extend that service to property owned by private individuals.

“This a free service to WPPN community groups and is operated by trained volunteers. The machine is not-for-profit and is a free crime prevention service to WPPN member groups,” says Brigid.