Smartwater (and signage)

Ever wondered what Smartwater is? Or what this sign means?

From 2006 to 2009 South Bucks District Council and Thames Valley Police worked together on a Property Marking initiative with victims of burglary and surrounding properties offering them a DNA Forensic Chemical coding kit called Smartwater.

SmartWater is a colourless liquid solution that is simply dabbed onto the uneven surfaces of your valuables. It can be used to code all sorts of items such as jewellery, ornaments, electrical items and even your motor vehicle. Each bottle contains a unique chemical ‘code’ which is registered to you – conclusively proving ownership. It cannot be easily seen by the naked eye and is almost impossible to remove. The liquid glows under ultraviolet light making it easy for the Police to detect.

The Police use it in undercover operations to catch and convict criminals. Criminals know about SmartWater and fear its power to forensically link them with the scene of a crime. So, by coding your valuables and displaying the SmartWater deterrent signs, you are sending out a powerful warning to any thieves and burglars operating in your area.

The South Bucks Community Safety Partnership is a statutory partnership formed as a result of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and includes senior officers from various organisations such as South Bucks District Council, Thames Valley Police, Trading Standards and Bucks Fire and Rescue Service. The South Bucks Community Safety Partnership facilitates that coordination of local activities to reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime by selecting the most appropriate course of action, ensuring agencies are not working in isolation and the resources are targeted.

Statistics show that by marking your belongings, displaying warning stickers and having a sign for your road you can reduce your chance of burglary by up to 85%.

For more information on Smartwater please view their website at: www.smartwater.co.uk