POLICE are using the latest technology to reunite stolen items with their rightful owners and to discourage thieves.

The North Yorkshire force is posting images of items on their website, which also has computerised links so that antiques dealers can automatically receive details of recently stolen items.

The first group of items on www.northyorkshire.pol-ice.uk includes a model ship stolen from a church, a 120-year-old tea chest, a fountain and a trials motorbike. Officers will add high-value, unusual or identifiable items to the website.

Detective Inspector Jon Reed said: "Naturally, we circulate to specialist media when we are investigating thefts and burglaries of items like these, but this extends the circle of people who have the details of valuable items we are trying to get back.

"It also turns up the heat on criminals - it is a deterrent against stealing antiques or other unusual valuables when you know that their picture and details will be published for all the world to see. It reduces their sell-on value substantially."

The force is also testing two other websites: www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk and also www.virtualbumblebee.co.ukThe first allows people to bid for items that have been seized in police operations.

The second allows organisations to display found and seized property in the hope of reuniting items with owners. Lost property can also be advertised on the site.