Crime hotspots in Chester are to be targeted in a big police crackdown, with the launch of a Smartwater Scheme in Blacon.
In conjunction with Chester and District Housing Trust, Blacon police officers are rolling out the use of the liquid, across five areas in Blacon and city centre College wards, which have been highlighted as hotspots for burglaries.
lnsp Ian Thorp said: “We are determined to deter thieves from thinking Blacon is an easy target; in the areas we have identified we are providing support and handing out SmartWater kits, to reassure residents and help them protect their property.â€
SmartWater is a safe, clear liquid that is invisible to the naked eye and is used to mark property forensically. It contains a unique DNA-style code and the code details of each tube are stored on a secure SmartWater database.
Insp Thorp said: “It is distressing to have property stolen and never find it again; so any property recovered by, or handed into the police, will be scanned with an ultraviolet light, which will detect any SmartWater. The findings can then be checked against the SmartWater database, to identify the lawful owner.â€
Officers in Blacon also have other means to catch offenders in the act. SmartWater can he used as a forensic spray system, which marks the skin and clothes and will allow officers to link them directly to the crime scene.
Those going into custody are already routinely checked for SmartWater, but police are widening their net by taking to the streets with the technology, to detect the liquid on anyone they stop check.
For further information visit:
Web: http://www.smartwater.com/Home.aspx
See also our previous article – Smartwater The Ultimate Theft Deterrent on 10/02/09.