Secured by Design, the UK Police crime prevention initiative has announced that Richemont’s lost and stolen watch database, Enquirus, has achieved police preferred specification. Secured by Design (SBD) is owned by the UK Police Service with the specific aim of reducing crime and increasing safety for businesses and individuals and is the only way to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK.
“Achieving Secured by Design membership is a great honour and we look forward to working with the UK police force to tackle watch crime and protect our customers, staff and the industry for the future,” said Frank Vivier, Richemont Chief Transformation Officer.
“Watch theft is a worldwide problem, not only for our customers, but also for our boutiques and colleagues. With Enquirus, we have created a central database where everyone in the industry can securely register and search for lost and stolen watches worldwide. By providing free access for the industry partners, the opportunity to sell stolen watches becomes more prohibitive, with the ultimate objective of eliminating the incentive to steal watches in the first place,” Vivier continued.
“Richemont wished to work with the UK police forces, quickly realising that being a Secured by Design member and having the Police Preferred Specification accreditation for Enquirus would be beneficial to them,” said Lyn Poole, Secured by Design. “It has been a pleasure working with them, I’m really pleased they achieved SBD standards and I am looking forward to working with them during their membership. It is a much-needed addition to our list of accredited products and services, as there is currently nothing like it so far.
“Watches are an investment to many people and are sold as a whole, not broken down like jewellery. Having the serial numbers and paperwork makes it easy to register with Enqurius and if the unlikely eventuality happens then dealers, collectors and others involved can check the register to make sure they are not purchasing a stolen watch. Simple but very effective.”
Created by Richemont, Enquirus is a database to register and search for lost or stolen watches worldwide. Created in consultation with industry stakeholders, including watch manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, the pre-owned market and clients, it provides a centralised data portal where information can be securely uploaded, searched and shared by multiple parties, while protecting customers’ identities, data and client lists. The goal is to create the largest international database of lost and stolen watches, with the aim of reducing watch crime and protecting the watch industry for the future.
You can find out more about Richemont and their Secured by Design accredited Enquirus: Lost & Stolen Watch Database at: www.securedbydesign.com