West Mercia Police launch initiative to reduce burglaries
An initiative to help prevent elderly people from becoming repeat victims of domestic burglary has been launched across West Mercia.
As from today, people over the age of 65 who have been the victim of a domestic burglary will be issued with a free forensic home coding kit. The kits, which are produced by Telford based company SmartWater, will enable victims to mark their valuables with the unique SmartWater fluid.
It is hoped the new measure will reassure victims and help to prevent victims from repeat attacks. The move comes as Police continue their work with SmartWater through the SmartWater Foundation.
Superintendent Gary Higgins, Policing Commander in Telford, welcomed the news and said he hoped it would prove as successful as similar projects already launched in Telford in conjunction with SmartWater.
He said: "Around 600 offences of domestic burglary are reported each year by victims aged 65 or older across the West Mercia Force area.
"This initiative will see hundreds of SmartWater kits issued to these victims as part of our reassurance visits, which are carried out routinely with all victims of domestic burglary.
"We are hoping that by issuing the kits, these residents will be reassured that their valuables have extra security and that they will be less likely to be burgled again.
"We are extremely grateful to SmartWater for their support and assistance.
"Marking your property is a great security measure and I believe it is vital that people do all they can to protect their homes and personal property. Anything you can do to make life more difficult for those who choose to steal from others has to be a good thing"
SmartWater Chief Executive Phil Cleary said:
"Anything marked with SmartWater can be irrefutably traced back to its owner, making it far more difficult for a thief to sell on and significantly increasing their chances of detection and subsequent arrest. This will act as very powerful deterrent to any would-be thieves."
Speaking about the initiative, Mr John Ward - who was victim of a burglary at his home in Dawley in Telford back in July - said that he was very appreciative of the free SmartWater kit he had been given to provide more protection his property
"Being burgled is a very upsetting experience but I am really grateful for the support I have received from West Mercia Police. This SmartWater initiative is an excellent idea and it will allow me to mark my property and protect myself better against become a repeat victim of crime.
"I am doing what I can to improve security at my home address myself but this SmartWater kit will certainly provide me with even more reassurance and I'm sure that other victims presented with a kit will feel exactly the same way too."
