New initiative helps cut down on property theft
Image 1 of 5
Garda Maureen Finnerty, Garda John Butler, Garda Damien Conden, Sally Mounsey (Garda Staff), Sergeant Darren Owens, Superintendent Andrew Lacey and Shane Nolan (Garda Staff) attending the property marking workshop at MacDonagh Park. PHOTOS: ODRHAN DUCIEImage 2 of 5
Nenagh Éire Óg GAA Club got their strimmer marked at the property marking workshop at MacDonagh Park.Image 3 of 5
Garda project to train people up on the use of a property marking machine took place last week at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh.Image 4 of 5
Garda John Bugler and Bartley Ryan demonstrating the property marking machine at the property marking workshop at MacDonagh Park.Image 5 of 5
Cllr Ger Darcy, Eamonn Spillane, Tom Lanphier and Brigid Dundon attending the property marking workshop at MacDonagh Park.Tipperary County Council is teaming up with An Garda Síochána and community groups across Tipperary to help cut down on property theft.
The council has purchased two property marking machines, which can be loaned out to community groups, who in turn organise property marking events in the localities.
The main objective of purchasing these machines is to:
· Reduce the level of property theft in Tipperary
· Enhance the recovery figures in terms of reuniting property with rightful owners and reducing fear of crime
· Strengthening the partnership between communities, An Garda Síochána and the local authority.
HOW PROPERTY MARKING WORKS
The property machine works by stamping the person’s Eircode onto their item using a series of dots. As the Eircode is unique to the owner of the property, the item is easily tracked back to them if stolen.
The depth and size of the dots is adjusted to suit the material to be marked, for example plastic, wood, carbon fibre, etc. The only type of material it can’t be used on is that which might shatter on impact, such as glass or ceramics.
Marking the property acts as a deterrent to thieves as they are likely to move on rather than risk getting caught with an item which can instantly be identified as not belonging to them.
Special training sessions provided by James O’Neill of Property Marking Ireland recently took place at Nenagh Éire Óg's GAA ground, who kindly offered the use of their outdoor facilities. Around 35 people from various community groups, An Garda Síochána and the Community department of the council were present to learn how the system works and are now trained to go out into their communities.
Fire service, Community Alert, sports clubs, Civil Defence and Men’s Sheds were just some of the groups who attended the event, at which Cllr Ger Darcy represented Tipperary Joint Policing Committee.
MESSAGE TO CRIMINALS
Signage associated with the scheme is also important and sends a message to potential criminals that this community is active and collaborates with An Garda Síochána, hence reducing risk. “If property is recovered during investigative searches, we have enhanced the chance or reuniting owners with stolen property, and marked property isn’t as easily sold on for profit,” explained Superintendent Andrew Lacey of Nenagh Garda District. He added that property marking builds community relationships with the gardaí and increases accessibility.
“I want to encourage community groups across North Tipperary to get in contact with your local gardaí or our Community Engagement Co-ordinator Garda Maureen Finnerty in Nenagh Garda Station to learn more about the initiative. We hope to get events up and running early in 2022 throughout the district. Well done to the Tipperary County Council for this tangible investment in crime prevention.”