COMPUTER game fans were today targeted as part of a major police crackdown on stolen consoles.

Lancashire police are urging people with desirable consoles such as Sony Playstations, Nintendo or the latest Microsoft X-Box to mark them with special pens in a bid to wipeout the black market in East Lancashire for stolen computer goods.

The move follows an increase in the number of thefts of both consoles and games as well as other branded electronic games.

Officers reported that there are a number of thefts involving an electronic game console or a hand held electronic game in the countty each week.

Police also said there is a huge market for game consoles and especially in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale area where items are actively being sought out by criminals.

According to police, a proven tactic which makes property like this less attractive to thieves is property marking.

This has the advantage of being very cheap and simple for the owner to do themselves. Once it has been marked, it can be easily returned to the owner if stolen and recovered.

Other security tips include:

Write down the serial number of the electronic items

Property mark the games cartridges or disks as well as the game

Make sure if items are taken in a vehicle then they are removed or put out of sight.

Inspector John Clucas, of Pennine Police, said: "We are working hard to catch offenders and recover stolen property.

"What I would ask of people who own electronic games, is that they play their part too.

"There are a number of very simple steps they can take to make property less valuable to a thief.

"If electronic games are easily traceable back to their rightful owners then they cannot be disposed of without difficulty and more importantly the police can arrest and charge those found in possession of the items. We all have a role to play in preventing crime."

Property marking pens along with a wide range of literature are available from local police stations.

People can go to Burnley Police Station with their property between 6pm and 10pm and have it marked.