Smartwater project set to be extended

Distribution of crime-deterrent Smartwater kits is set to be rolled out in Battenhall following its introduction in St Peter’s.

Conservative councillor Steve Mackay, who is distributing the kits, described it as “a really successful project”.

Among his next steps is to have signs put up in St Peter’s to warn criminals that it is a Smartwater-protected area.

Cllr Mackay, who represents the St Peter division on Worcestershire County Council, said: “This has been a really successful project and we are now in a position to put signs up on streets indicating that the area is Smartwater protected, making it a far less attractive target for burglars and thieves.”

He added: “I would now like to consider doing the same in Battenhall once funding becomes available in the new financial year.

“So, in May, I will start to advertise the fact that I will target areas of Battenhall, one by one, and see whether residents will be interested in taking up the offer.

“The way forward appears to be by house-to-house visits as well as sessions of a couple of hours at a particular venue for people to turn up and collect these free kits.”

He urged Battenhall residents to support the initiative, saying statistical evidence suggested that in some areas the signs and take-up had reduced burglaries by up to 85 per cent.

Smartwater assigns valuables with their own unique forensic code, allowing them to be traced back to the owner and can be used on anything from electronic equipment to jewellery.

It is only visible under UV light and does not leave marks or stains.

It helps to increase prosecutions by linking criminals back to the scene of the crime.