In Derbyshire, police officers from Codnor and Waingroves Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working to prevent metal thefts locally.
The DNA grease, from Selecta DNA, is used to mark materials at risk of theft, such as metal flashing and copper piping.
The grease not only marks the metal but, if touched, it also stains the hands and clothes of the offender with a UV tracer and a unique DNA code. These marks can stay on a perpetratorโs skin and clothing for weeks, forensically linking him or her to the stolen metal.
The UV tracer in the substance means that it becomes visible under ultraviolet scanners, with which all police stations in Derbyshire are equipped.
PC Dave Morton said: โThere have been a number of lead thefts in the local area over recent weeks so the introduction of the grease is welcomed by local residents and aims to prevent future thefts of this nature.โ
Codnor Parish Council is on board with the introduction of the DNA grease and is working with the police to identify hot spot areas. Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams said: โAlongside the application of the grease we will be putting up a number of Selecta DNA signs to make sure that would-be thieves are aware that metal in this area is protected with a transferable, forensic substance and that they should stay away. We hope that this work will help to protect residents from the distress and inconvenience of a theft of this nature.โ
