SelectaDNA makes life harder for burglars in Buckinghamshire

(05/10/2009)

SelectaDNA has been introduced by the Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership as part of Operation Breaker, Thames Valley Police's anti-burglary drive. The forensic property marking system is being introduced across Buckinghamshire to make life more difficult for burglars and thieves and make it easier to convict them.

The Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership consists of Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire County Council, the four District Councils of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Buckinghamshire and Wycombe, and other partner agencies.

Thames Valley Police’s Crime Reduction Advisers were provided with SelectaDNA property marking kits for allocation to identified crime “hot spot” areas. They will also be distributing kits to the elderly and vulnerable, as well as previous victims of burglary, over the next 18 months.

George Wrigley, Superintendent Operational Support for Thames Valley Police in Buckinghamshire, said: “Buckinghamshire is a safe place to live and despite the recession we have seen a slight decrease in burglary of residents’ homes over the past 12 months.

“However, every victim of crime is one too many and that is why we are introducing this new property marking system in Buckinghamshire. By marking their property with it and displaying the appropriate signage, people can significantly reduce their risk of being burgled and we are much more likely to catch and convict burglars.”

Thames Valley Police will be advising residents on how to use the marking kits in their homes. Each kit contains a bottle of the SelectaDNA formula, which consists of an ultraviolet tracer and a unique DNA code. The clear liquid, which contains identifying microdots, can be easily applied by residents to any household item to verify it as belonging to their property.

If suitably marked property such as a laptop, flatscreen TV, mobile phone or piece of jewellery is stolen and later recovered by police, it can be scanned using a UV light and traced back to the rightful owner via the DNA marking.

Introduction of the SelectaDNA scheme is managed by Dave Hartin, Community Safety Co-ordinator for Buckinghamshire County Council.

Mr Hartin said: “SelectaDNA represents excellent value for money and was chosen above other similar products as it already has a proven track record for reducing burglary, in some areas by up to 85 per cent, when used alongside more traditional policing methods.

“Many Police custody suites across the UK routinely scan for SelectaDNA and the identifying microdots in the forensic liquid are unique, linking stolen property to offenders and providing strong evidence to support prosecutions".

Related topics:  Crime and Fraud Prevention   Tagging vandalism and theft prevention 

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