PEOPLE are being urged to protect Christmas gifts by logging details in a new police database of valuables.

Hundreds of items have already been recorded in the confidential property section of Northumbria Police's website.

Serial numbers and descriptions of valuable items can be logged in the database at www.northumbria.police.uk/property

By checking serial numbers against the database, officers can quickly return recovered property to its owners.

Anyone living in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland areas is eligible to use the service.

Registering with the force's e-policing service takes less than a minute.

Once a confirming e-mail is received, users can log onto the property recording register.

The easy-to-use database allows people to register the serial numbers and descriptions of property ranging from cameras and stereo players to jewellery, art works and antiques.

Details can be updated at any time and printouts can be obtained so that details can be passed on to insurance companies. Users can also photograph their valuables.

All information collected on registration is subject to strict rules and tight security is in place to prevent misuse or improper disclosure of information.

Users can amend or cancel their registration at any time.

Further details are available from Northumbria Police on (01661) 868888.