Shoreham residents used a WiFi hotpsot to protect their possessions together with the police.

On Saturday police community support officers from Shoreham Police Station together with public engagement officer Shaun Polley carried out a day of action in Shoreham town centre.

In the morning they delivered crime prevention advice to local businesses.

In the afternoon they gave out advice to the public to reduce the number of thefts from unlocked cars.

With the help of a local WiFi hotspot they were able to immediately sign up a number of residents and businesses to Immobilise, an online system which allows people to register for free their electronic and other goods on a national database, where they can also report them as lost or stolen.

PC Noel Simmonds said: "On a number of occasions we have carried out searches and found electronic goods that were most likely stolen but we couldn't prove it because the devices were not registered to their owners.

"Immobilise is an international organisation and the database is accessible to police forces across the country and beyond - if your phone, laptop, tablet or other property is stolen, wherever it ends up we will be able to identify it and get it back to you.

"It won't cost you anything, but it might save you a lot. If enough of Shoreham signs up to the service then it will be very difficult for thieves to make any profit, and make it easier for us to catch and convict them."

You can sign up and register your property for free at www.immobilise.com.

If you know anything about thefts or burglaries call 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.