Pennine police given SmartWater torches to deter burglars (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Pennine police given SmartWater torches to deter burglars

2:20pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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STATE-of-the-art technology is being used to throw the spotlight on burglars as part of an ongoing crackdown.

Every police officer in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale is being issued with a special UV torch to shine on burglars and other people they arrest to see if they have been in contact with stolen goods.

The torches are designed to detect traces of Smartwater, a revolutionary forensic fluid which is used to security code property.

SmartWater is practically invisible to the naked eye, yet made up of hundreds of microscopic particles containing an individual identification code similar to DNA which means it is easily traceable.

If criminals handle goods marked with Smartwater they will show up straight away under the special UV torches.

The most recent action is part of Operation Julius, a crackdown on burglaries.

Inspector Russ Procter, of Burnley Police, said: “Over recent weeks and months, we have been working with homeowners and businesses across the division to increase the amount of property marked with Smartwater.

“This means that there is now every chance of a burglar coming into contact with the fluid which means that, as soon as they are arrested and a torch shone over them, Smartwater will be identified linking them to their crimes.

“Lancashire Police are continually raising the risk of offenders being caught. If I was a burglar I’d be watching my back and maybe thinking that it was time to give up a life of crime.

”That’s because if you’re burglar, then it’s purely a matter of time before you are caught and put before the courts.”

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