New innovative property marking kit to be launched in Melksham

The Melksham Area Community Safety Group is launching its SmartWater initiative here in Melksham on Tuesday 21st April from 10am to 1pm – market day.

Colin Goodhind, Chair – Melksham Area Community Safety Group said, “We will have a stall in the Market Place where you can see the product and ask questions, but more importantly, buy a home marking kit for £20, less than half the normal price!

“A grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has enabled us to purchase these kits at a special price to help keep Melksham a safe and low-crime area, and the very small profit we make on them will be ploughed back into the project to purchase more stock.”

“SmartWater is a harmless, invisible, individually traceable liquid and property marking system that can be applied to any non-porous surface on items of value to deter theft and to help identify culprits for prosecution.

“The liquid leaves a long-lasting (at least five years) and unique identifier that is invisible to the naked eye except under an ultraviolet black light. Traces of the liquid rub off onto the hands and clothes of thieves and is virtually impossible to remove.

“Each individual batch has its own specific signature which means that when police retrieve property marked with SmartWater they can immediately return it to its rightful owner.  Property that can be protected includes jewellery, ornaments, electrical equipment, bikes and vehicles.

“Prosecutions involving evidence gleaned from SmartWater have a 100% prosecution rate and it has established a reputation nationally among the criminal fraternity for increasing the risk of capture and conviction. Like Police all over the country, Police in this area routinely scan for traces of SmartWater on suspects and many Police stations, patrol cars and officers are equipped with SmartWater UV detectors.”