Property marking

There are various ways to mark your personal property to protect it against theft and help police to return it to you if it is stolen and recovered.

You can mark your property yourself, quickly and at very little cost by using the following techniques:

• Forensic marking.
• Ultra-violet marking.
• Engraving.
• Ceramic marking.

We recommend that you mark all of your valuable and personal items. Take a photograph of them too. We can then return the items to you if they are recovered after being stolen.

What details should I include in the marking?

• Public - The postcode of the premises where the property is located, and your name or part of your name.
• Students and schools – The initials of your university – TVU (Thames Valley University), or school for example – and your student number.

Businesses should place small notices in their buildings which say that all of your property is marked. Casual visitors may not notice these but a potential thief will.