Penygarn Community Primary School in Torfaen has become the first in the borough to be protected by a pioneering crime prevention product that places a unique forensic signature on items making it easy for the police to detect stolen property.
The SmartWater product is being placed on all council buildings and schools over the next few weeks as part of a major crackdown on thefts from local authority premises.
Last year, goods totalling more than £55,260 were stolen, with lead from building roofs being a particular problem area making up £16,275 of the total. Over the past three years, the cost of lead thefts from school buildings (including repairing the damage caused) was more than £50,000.
All council buildings including schools, Greenmeadow Community Farm and the Neighbourhood Services depot in New Inn are now being marked with SmartWater. Valuable IT equipment such as laptops and computers, machinery and external metals including lead roofing are all being marked with the forensic liquid. Local scrap metal operators and second hand dealers are all being advised to look out for the product which is now being used across the borough.
SmartWater is a colourless liquid that is dabbed on the surfaces of items. Each bottle has a unique chemical code which is registered and provides proof of ownership.
The liquid is invisible to the naked eye but glows under UV light for police to detect and is almost impossible to remove. Over the next few weeks the product will be applied to 180 council buildings as well as 150 vehicles.
Criminals avoid SmartWater protected buildings and property for several reasons:
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It is almost impossible to remove. It cannot be burnt or scratched off and bleach and other chemical cleaners have no effect on it
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It has helped the Police to arrest and convict over 1,000 criminals
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It is used in trap operations which have successfully convicted lead thieves and fly-tippers
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It can also be used as part of police-led covert operations to mark the skin and clothes of criminals
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Searches for SmartWater are being carried out at second hand dealers, and car boot sales
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Scrap metal yards and recyclers are also looking for SmartWater on metals from churches, railways, water companies and electricity suppliers.
Councillor Cynthia Beynon MBE, executive member for community safety, said: "Today’s launch sends a clear message to criminals who are targeting our schools and council buildings. We will not tolerate a small minority of criminals who target our public buildings and facilities. These are not victimless crimes, but directly impact on everyone in Torfaen by taking money away that could be diverted towards essential public services."
Councillor Marlene Thomas, executive member for resources, added: "For every theft or break in at a council property, we end up having to pay ten times more than the value of the goods stolen because of the damage that is caused to the building itself. This partnership with SmartWater is an excellent example of an ‘invest to save’ initiative and I am sure that as word gets around the criminal community that Torfaen is a ‘SmartWater’ borough, we will see crime falling."
Phil Cleary, Chief Executive of SmartWater said: "Criminals need to be aware that if they target premises that are fitted with SmartWater then they face a far greater risk of detection and subsequent arrest. The message to all would-be criminals is simple – don’t risk it."
Visit www.smartwater.com for more information.