The co-operative of DIY and hardware retailers has joined forces with Crimestoppers to help protect people's homes.
Participating Mica members are selling a property protection solution designed by the crime-fighting charity with the overall aim of reducing the number of offences committed in communities. Approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), it works by giving valuable items their own coded fingerprints.

Mica will also promote hints and tips from Crimestoppers about how to secure consumer property, vehicles and personal safety on its website.

Mica chief executive Steve Ball said: "Mica is keen to suppost those seeking to make communities safer places to live. As a vital part of the local communities we serve, independent Mica stores are often family owned, as well as run.

"We are proud to be supporting Crimestoppers by promoting this product, on our national consumer brochures and raising awareness through our website."

Chairman of the product manufacturer Stealth Mark Europe Clive Smith said: "It has been a long held vision of ours to make our technology as widely available as possible. And at no cost to the public purse, the listing by Mica stores is a further move towards helping to reduce in the cost and burden that crime inflicts on our local communities, and what better way than through the Mica co-operative group of local independent DIY and hardware stores, who are in touch with their local community needs."