Internet auctions are fuelling a rise in the fencing of stolen goods. This is according to Checkmend, which has launched a service that can help track down people's stolen property.

Although mobile phones top the CheckMEND hotlist of stolen items, the property identification company said the anonymity of online auctions means criminals can now sell just about anything they have stolen with virtual impunity.

This includes not only must have gadgets such as iPods and laptops, but bigger items such as bicycles and cars.

The police support the CheckMEND service, with 46 forces actually using a version of the system as part of their fight against crime.

Over 80,000 officers now have access to the information. On a weekly basis, Police
forces across the UK are making between 10,000 and 15,000 checks.

So buyers as well as sellers need to beware because even if they are innocent of stealing the goods, they could still face prosecution if caught with stolen goods.

Commander Steve Allen, head of the violent crime directorate at the Metropolitan Police, said: "Should the seller, auction house, buyer or repairer be found in possession of a stolen item … then at the very least the item could be confiscated.

"But at worst, they could potentially be charged with handling stolen goods. "

The system launched by Checkmend claims to have a database of 3.8 million items, with a total value of more than £570m.

Jack Wraith, from the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum said: "All stolen phones reported to the UK networks are on the CheckMEND database.

"If all the second-hand phones were checked before being purchased, and subsequently not bought, then this would equate to approximately £50 million pounds taken out of the pockets of criminals."

People can register their items free at the website set up by the company and then report the details if a device is stolen.

Users can access the service by text or online to check whether an item they are buying or selling is stolen.

So for example, by entering a mobile phone's International Mobile Equipment Identification number, or the serial number of a notebook computer, Checkmend can tell within seconds whether the item has been reported stolen.

If a seller carries out checks before they offer an item for sale, they can add a Checkmend certificate to the sale that can be viewed online by prospective purchasers.

A text search costs £1.50, plus standard network charges, while an online search costs between £1 and £2.99.