Smart way to cut theft on offer to households

HOUSEHOLDERS in Bloxwich are to benefit from a hi-tech system designed to beat the burglars.

Tenants in the Coalpool area are being given a SmartWater kit.

This is a liquid which leaves a unique mark which will help to track criminals who come into contact with it, and act as a deterrent.

Acting Sergeant Adrian Naik, from Coalpool Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We have been working very closely with our partners and have secured funding of £3,000 to ensure residents of Coalpool can now protect their property.

"If someone steals items marked with the liquid we will be able to place them at the scene of the crime."

SmartWater works by assigning metals and other items of property with their own chemical code which is uniquely registered to its owner and is virtually impossible to remove. The liquid can only be seen using UV light, which can then be analysed to trace any stolen goods back to their rightful owner.

It also allows police to link offenders with a particular crime scene and pursue a criminal conviction.

Safer Walsall Partnership and Walsall Housing Group are working with Walsall Police to provide the kits to homes and businesses.

Officers are also working in partnership with local businesses and second-hand dealers.

Lyndon Parkes, service manager for Walsall Housing Group (WHG), said: "At WHG we continually work alongside our partners to help make our communities and neighbourhoods safer places to live. The SmartWater initiative will help us to achieve this and reduce the fear of crime in the Coalpool area."

Lynne Hughes, area manager for Community Safety at Walsall Council, said: "The partnership is working hard to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Walsall, but it is important residents and businesses also work alongside us by taking advantage of initiatives such as SmartWater kits.

"This is a vital tool for the police in their bid to solve crimes and help return property which is stolen to its rightful owners, and I would urge everyone in Coalpool who receives one of these kits to make use of it."