SmartWater is protecting schools across Mid Suffolk.
SmartWater is a colourless, odourless liquid that forensically links burglars to crime scenes and stolen property. It can be used to invisibly mark property and it can be sprayed on offenders if they’re burgling premises.
With funding from the Police, SmartWater kits have been purchased and will be used at schools across the district. Members of all four Safer Neighbourhood Teams (Mid Suffolk South, Mid Suffolk North, Mid Suffolk Central and Stowmarket) will be visiting schools in their areas, showing teachers, staff and pupils how SmartWater works and marking up property.
Most items at the schools, whether TVs, computers or other things often targeted like roofing lead or piping, can be marked with the special solution which will be unique to each school – dramatically increasing the chances of the property being returned to them if it is stolen and linking anyone found with the item to the crime. SmartWater is suitable for marking all sorts of things as it doesn’t harm property or those sprayed, but the liquid bears a chemical code that is unique, permanent and can be traced back to the premises it came from.
In addition to property marking, buildings can have spray systems installed. Get even the smallest amount of SmartWater on you and you’ll be marked – it’s invisible to the naked eye but is virtually impossible to remove. Police use ultraviolet lights to check individuals and property.
Mid Suffolk SNT Inspector Gary Duncan said, “If you can’t see the SmartWater on marked items, burglars won’t either. However, if you are sprayed police will be able to tell not only that you’ve committed a burglary but also what address you committed it at. The schools will be displaying signage to warn people that they are equipped with SmartWater, so that should be a deterrent in itself.
“If you are found with an item that has been marked we will be able to tell where it has come from, we will be able to reunite it with its rightful owner and you are likely to face a burglary or handling stolen property charge. This will provide reassurance for many schools in Mid Suffolk, as investing in technology, or even just repairing the school roof, can cost thousands of pounds and stolen items can take time to replace, depriving pupils of computers, TVs and other items which can aid learning.
“We were particularly keen to provide SmartWater to schools following a recent court case where a man from Mid Suffolk broke into dozens of community premises including a number of schools. These offences impacted on people’s everyday lives and their feelings of safety within the areas in which they live and work.
“Thankfully such a volume of acquisitive crime committed by one person is rare, but now with SmartWater we have the opportunity to make these schools more secure and any offences committed there more detectable. Burglaries and thefts from schools are crimes against the community and will not be tolerated. We are committed to tackling these crimes, to ensure everyone in Mid Suffolk feels and remains safe.”
Stonham Aspal Primary School recently received its SmartWater kit. PC Andy Pursehouse and PCSO Stephen Johnson of the Mid Suffolk Central SNT helped pupils apply SmartWater to school equipment. Headteacher Paul Hesketh said, "I am very pleased to receive the SmartWater kit from the Safer Neighbourhood Team. It will hopefully deter criminals from targeting our school, as paying for the repairs from the previous break-in comes straight out of our budget, which means less money available to be spent on the pupils.”
