New online help to recover stolen assets

If you are a victim of theft at home or in a public place and feel depressed about having lost valuable possessions, you could gain confidence in a new, web-based system that promises to be effective and friendly.

The website (www.stoleme.co.nz), launched on May 29, 2012, could be of use to communities, businesses and even tourists and visitors.

This innovative and non-commercial approach has already gained the support of a number of law enforcement agencies including the New Zealand Police and Crimestoppers, and the Insurance Council of New Zealand, comprising insurers as its members.

The online service has listed 18 categories of items ranging from antiques, boats and computers to automobiles, jewellery and heavy machinery.

Electrical appliances, fire arms and even pets are included in the listing.

In offering their support, New Zealand Police have said that the new website aimed to reunite people with their lost or stolen property.

National Manager for Crime Prevention Superintendent Bruce Bird said that the service has created a forum for people to post photographs and descriptions of their missing property.

“Our stolen vehicle database, launched earlier this year, has been well received by the public with over 260,000 stolen vehicle searches. I am sure that the online community will welcome the service that ‘Stole Me’ provides,” he said.

The Forum

As well as enabling people to list their lost or stolen items to increase visibility, prevent resale and ultimately aid recovery of the items, the website provides opportunities for prospective buyers or traders of second hand goods to reduce the risk of buying or trading stolen goods.

Crime Prevention Partnership Forum, a collaborative partnership between the Police and business has extended its support to the new venture. Commercial banks, insurance companies, fraud examiners, private investigators and security companies are among its members.

The Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers New Zealand Chief Executive Lou Gardiner said ‘Stole Me’ provides opportunities for people who have lost valuables to take ‘some action.’

“This service aligns well with the ‘Serial Number Asset Partnership’ (SNAP) introduced by the Police (more than two years ago) enabling people to create and store an asset list of property serial numbers for free. Stolen items with a serial number can be accessed on SNAP to ascertain whether the item being purchased is in fact stolen. It also provides the Police the opportunity to return recovered properties to their rightful owner,” he said.

Mr Gardiner said that ‘Stole Me’ helps people to list lost or stolen assets that do not have serial numbers.

Insurance Cover

Insurance Council of New Zealand has also welcomed the new website saying that it allowed people keen on purchasing used products including i-pads, mobile phones, household electrical appliances, television sets, stereos, jewellery, tools and even pets to ensure that these are legitimate.

Spokesman Terry Jordan said ‘Stole Me’ website provides easy access to information on stolen property.

“From an insurer’s perspective, the new service is another weapon in the crime fighting arsenal that will make it more difficult for burglars, thieves and those who fence stolen property on behalf of criminals to dispose of their ill-gotten gains,” he said.

Private Eyes

Michael Campbell, Vice-President of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Investigators described the new service as “A valuable tool for Professional Private Investigators.”

“It will enable their clients and victims of property crime to have a venue where descriptions and photographs of stolen property can be advertised to the public. Often early dissemination of this information will result in the identification of the offender(s) and the recovery of the property,” he said.