Smart spray helps snare the crooks

Dec 4 2008 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

POLICE bosses yesterday said they expected a high number of arrests using a new crimebusting spray to trap criminals.

And they revealed the latest weapon in the fight against crime was a major success south of the border where 500 convictions were made over a few years.

Praising the new anti-crime system called the SmartWater Alarm System,

Superintendent Donald McCallum said: “This is fairly new to the Paisley area and the potential is high.

“In England and Wales it has worked well over the years, in fact, it’s led to 500 convictions. We welcome this new system to the Paisley area and the rest of ‘K’ Division.”

Criminal suspects are currently being tested by Paisley police for traces of the special spray on their clothes and skin.

If any traces of the solution show up then the likely offender will be questioned further about how it got there.

A growing number of homes and businesses in Renfrewshire have been fitted with SmartWater in a bid to reduce crime.

On The Beat has been told that an intruder breaking into certain premises will be showered with a light spray solution.

One officer added: “The mixture contains a fluorescent yellow marker which is invisible to the naked eye but can be detected under ultra violet light which has been installed in police offices in Paisley and other stations in ‘K’ Division.

“Every prisoner will be scanned for traces of SmartWater and should any specks show up then further inquiries will be made and the suspect questioned regarding the origin of the solution.

“Criminals won't know if the property they have stolen or the premises they have broken into have been fitted with SmartWater.

“The solution is very difficult to remove and only shows up under certain wavelength of UV light. You can’t wash it off the skin.”

Later Chief Inspector Lee Wilson, deputy sub divisional officer at Paisley Mill Street HQ, said: “The main aim is to detect offenders .

“Everyone arrested and taken into custody in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde will be scanned for the presence of SmartWater and where the solution is detected action will be taken.

“I believe this initiative will contribute to our overall strategy to reduce crime and criminal activity, as well as identifying those responsible for such acts.”

More than 4,500 homes have received special SmartWater kits to discreetly mark expensive family property. This was part of a police-led initiative to help in the recovery of stolen items.