Police get smart
Posted in: Articles
Posted on 15th Oct 2008
North Wales Police have received funding from the Police and Community Trust (PACT) and Plas Cybi Communities First Partnership to help the new scheme get started.
SmartWater is an invisible ink that can only be seen under ultra-violet light but which contains a specific code that is recorded on a database and allows stolen items to be traced back.
PCSO Mark Jones said: “SmartWater is very simple and effective to use. A small kit is given to every household which includes the liquid, a small booklet, a registration form and stickers.
We hope to spread the project across the town over the coming months and are keen to continue working closely with Plas Cybi Communities First, Holyhead Town Council and Anglesey Council to drive down crime and increase public reassurance, which can only be a positive thing for Holyhead.
“Statistics show that Holyhead is a very safe area to live, in fact last year there were again reductions in the main categories like violence and burglary for example. This year is showing a continuing trend in that direction.
“To add to this, more of these types of crime are solved here than in the vast majority of other areas around the UK.
“SmartWater is simply an effective product that complements our determined and dedicated drive to continually target arid apprehend criminals.”
The scheme is a crime-fighting tool which has been launched around the UK, and has already had a successful trial in Trearddur Bay.
In some areas of the UK where SmartWater has been issued to residents, there has been a massive im pact on the criminals’ confidence, with crime in general falling by between 60 – 100%.
PCSO Jones said: “The aim of the scheme is to target crime prevention. To aid the scheme we will be placing signs within the designated streets, highlighting the fact that properties within this area have been Smartwatered.
“However, if we are able to identify stolen property and arrest a possible suspect through S then we are sure that the scheme will prove to be successful”
Article from: http://www.smartwater.com/Media-Centre/Latest-News-2/October-2008/Police-get-smart.aspx