An initiative to help vulnerable residents deter theft in the Queensway area of west London has paid off, with a 65pc reduction in burglary.
Over 200 properties occupied by the elderly and previous victims of crime in the Queensway, Inverness Terrace (Bayswater), and Hallfield Estate areas have been offered SelectaDNA kits by Police, as well as some other local residents.
The scheme, which launched in January, is being funded by Westminster City Council and co-ordinated by Sgt John Marshall and his officers from Lancaster Gate Safer Neighbourhood Team, working alongside Queensway SNT.
Sgt Marshall said: “We identified a need to clampdown on burglary in the Queensway area following a series of break-ins and theft from the many flats and bedsits in the area. Certain roads were identified as crime hotspots.”
He continued: “The area is highly populated and is also frequented by tourists in the summer months, so we were keen to stamp out burglary as quickly as possible and have already made a very good start.
“We are pleased to be able to report that there has been a 65% reduction in burglary since January when the scheme began.”
SelectaDNA is a clear liquid that can be easily applied to personal property such as TVs, laptops, iPods and jewellery, marking it invisibly with a unique code which can only be seen under a UV light.
Property which has been marked can be easily identified if it is stolen and subsequently recovered by Police. The DNA marking allows Police to place the burglar at the crime scene, which can increase chances of a conviction.
Sgt Marshall added: “By using these kits, we can help reduce a growing number of crimes as well as reduce fear of crime in the community. Traditionally, the summer months of June and July have seen a rise in burglary in this area, but we are hoping that with our successful SelectaDNA scheme already in place, that will not be the case this year."
