Property marking machine comes to Offaly

Offaly Public Participation Network (PPN) has purchased a Property Marking Machine. The machine will be available for use by community watch groups throughout the county.

In a report to the February Joint Policing Committee meeting, Bridie Costello Hynes, Development Officer with the PPN, said the machines will be held at Aras an Chontae and there will be a check in and check out system to log the location of the machine. ''This is to ensure that all areas have an opportunity to avail of the property marking machine,'' said Ms Costello Hynes.

Training in how to use the device will take place on Saturday April 22 at Mucklagh Hall.

Community Watch groups will be given an opportunity to nominate members to attend either the morning or afternoon session. Gardai from the community policing section of the council will also be in attendance. The times will be 10am until 1pm in the morning and 2pm to 5pm in the afternoon on April 22.

''This isn't the only training that will happen. This is the first tranche of it and I will be sending out information on this training to all the community watch groups later this week,'' said Ms Costello Hynes.

Property marking machines work by stamping a unique number on a given item. In the event of the item being stolen and recovered it can be traced back to the owner of the property. It can be used on a range of materials. Marking property can act as a deterrent to thieves.

Stickers saying the property has been marked often accompany the marking and can also act as a disincentive to would-be thieves.