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Published:
June 29, 2008
DNA
system to beat burglars at Burnham and Highbridge supermarkets
 Burglars
will get a nasty shock if they try to break into supermarkets
in Burnham and Highbridge when they get sprayed with a fluorescent
liquid.
SmartWater,
an invisible, colourless liquid that shows up under UV light,
has just been introduced at Somerfield's stores in Pier Street,
Burnham and Highbridge.
Intruders
will be sprayed with the liquid, which contains a unique DNA-style
forensic code that proves an individual was at the scene of a
crime.
Once
dry, SmartWater is virtually impossible to remove from objects
or clothing and it will remain on the skin for up to eight weeks.
People arrested and taken into custody will be asked to stand
under a UV light and those who have been in contact with SmartWater
can be immediately identified.
 Kieran
Madden, police liaison manager of SmartWater Technology Limited,
told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "SmartWater is a sophisticated forensic
crime deterrent with a proven track record of success. It is used
by 95 per cent of police forces in various forms while impacting
on prolific and persistent offending."
"Any
offender who has been doused in SmartWater during a break-in will
'light-up' when they pass through the custody unit at a local
police station. It will not take us long to find out which property
that person has burgled."
Avon
and Somerset Police’s crime prevention officer, PC Paul Morris,
added: "SmartWater is so versatile but extremely effective.
It can be used to mark all kinds of property from microchips and
computers to mobile phones, videos and antiques. It stays on the
skin for many weeks so we will check each person detained."
More
than 400 criminals have been caught and convicted so far across
the UK and the technology is now being used as a crime prevention
tool by 95 per cent of UK police forces.
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