SmartWater set to catch burglars

Burglars beware: This sign warns would-be burglars that SmartWater has been used in homes in the area.

Residents in Belfield and Waithlands are having their property marked with SmartWater to protect their possessions from burglars.

SmartWater is a unique spray being used to mark people’s property with an invisible solution that contains a unique identification number. It allows police officers to identify stolen items and return them to their rightful owners while anyone arrested will be scanned under ultraviolet light to check for traces of the solution.

Police community support officers are delivering SmartWater kits to 500 homes on the estate.

SmartWater areas are marked with street signs and householders will be given warning stickers to display in their windows to warn off burglars. Leaflets will be left for people who are not at home so they can take up the offer at a later date.
The initiative is being run by Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council in partnership with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Michelle Hughes, Inspector for Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "By encouraging people to mark their property with SmartWater we can not only deter burglars, but also return more property to the rightful owners and bring more offenders to justice.

“The scheme has already proved to be extremely successful in reducing burglaries on Kirkholt. Within a year burglaries had reduced by 40% in Kirkholt’s SmartWater zones compared to the same period the previous year.”

Ted Flynn, cabinet member for community safety at Rochdale Council, said: “This scheme is an excellent way to help prevent and detect burglaries. All residents in Belfield and Waithlands should take this opportunity to mark their property in this way and be assured that we are committed to making it harder for burglars to commit crime in our communities.”

For more information about the SmartWater campaign, call the Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 8549 or email them on rochdalesouthpartnership@gmp.police.uk.