Petrol stations belonging to the supermarket chain Asda are using a forensic marking product to protect items of retail stock.
Asda has been using the SelectaDNA spray to guard tobacco in several petrol station shops after some thefts. The spray works by emitting a burst of forensic DNA solution when an offender forces entry into premises, marking them with an invisible and harmless, synthetic spray that stays on skin and clothing for up to three weeks. That provides legal evidence that can link the criminal to the break-in.
The spray can be integrated into an intruder alarm, or run stand-alone with its own panic button. It has already been deployed in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand to protect stock in banks, jewellers and warehouses.
Warning signs and window stickers are supplied to alert potential criminals that the system is in use and to dissuade them from targeting the protected premises.
Another international brand using the spray is the retailer Louis Vuitton. The company has deployed the product to cover delivery areas in northern England.
