You’re nicked!

A former detective chief inspector and head of the Metropolitan Police Stolen Vehicle Squad at Chalk Farm, has dramatically experienced the benefits of security marking and registering valuables such as satellite navigation systems.

David Ryan, now retired and living in East Anglia, did what he has spent years advising against, and left his satellite navigation unit on view in his car while shopping. Within minutes, a window was smashed, the sat nav was grabbed and the thieves made-off on a motorcycle.

While some victims of the crime might have mentally written-off several hundred pounds and put the matter down to experience, David had every intention of recovering his property and seeing the culprits in court. He reported the crime via the internet and within an hour was contacted by local police who were trying to find the registration number of the motorcycle from CCTV footage at the shopping centre car park.

Within another hour, David was contacted by the police again and told that two people had been arrested in possession of his sat nav. Crucially, the unit carried Retainagroup security markings recorded on the International Security Register (ISR). This categorically proved that the sat nav belonged to David Ryan and not the thieves.

“This whole event could have been avoided had I remembered to take the sat nav with me. The only reason that I got it back is the Retainagroup security marking and ISR registration,“ said David.

“The important lesson is to take care of your own property and get it marked. If something is stolen, act urgently to get the police and ISR involved – the marking and register is an audit trail direct to you,” added David.

Satellite navigation systems are the current must-have car accessory costing hundreds of pounds. Thefts of the units from vehicles have rocketed, and so too have thefts of other small, valuable devices including mobile phones, other GPS equipment, MP3 players and lap top computers. In many cases, vehicle insurance may not cover these devices. Retainagroup markings are very easy to apply and include a unique code and 24-hour phone number to the ISR which can be used by the public as well as the police.

Retainagroup is probably best known for its marking of vehicle glass and components on behalf of many vehicle manufacturers, also with unique codes and the 24-hour ISR number. Security marking is a proven theft deterrent and powerfully combats the increasing crime of vehicle cloning. ISR registration can also guard against vehicle keys being illegally obtained by criminals – increasingly the preferred method of stealing cars. Sat nav security marking packs are available for £11.75 (including post and packing) from retainagroup.co.uk.