AROUND 1,000 homes across Pendle and Ribble Valley are to get special marker pens so householders can post-code their property.

The ultra-violet pens, donated by Burnley-based security firm Protect Security Systems and presented to the police at Nelson, will be distributed to people in Clitheroe, Whalley, Nelson, Colne and Barnoldswick who have been victims of crime.

Post-coded property can be matched to its owner if it is stolen and then recovered by the police.

Householders also get a window sticker to alert would-be thieves that their property is post-coded, plus general advice on how to beat crime and make their homes less of a target.

Crime prevention officer Barbara Hollingworth said: "These marker pens are available through hardware and DIY stores. We would advise everyone to post-code their property and take photographs of any valuable items.

"If they are stolen we can circulate the pictures and it makes the officers' job a lot easier in recovering the stolen items. If something is stolen, people often know what it looks like but it is difficult for them to describe it accurately to an officer. A photograph is much better.

"Post-coding your property acts as a deterrent and makes it easier to match stolen property to its rightful owner."

Protect is part of the Lancashire Partnership, an anti-crime scheme between the police and firms across the county.

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