Most of electronic devices, including games consoles, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, have built-in GPS tracking capability.  

As the holiday shopping season ramps up, more of these advanced devices will be purchased, making more of them available to be stolen.

Some police agencies are encouraging consumers to enable the GPS tracking function of the gadgets. Being able to track a device's location may aid the police to being able in successfully return the property, if stolen, and assist in convicting the thief.

As one police Detective, Sergeant Colin Coyle, of South Tyneside, Northumbria, explains GPS tracking "can make the difference between losing the item forever or having it tracked, located and (recovered) by police." If you are unsure how to turn on your device's GPS tracking, please check the user's guide for your device.