In north-east London, homeowners will be able to use a marking product to deter burglars after Enfield Council spent £18,000 for the SmartWater property marking liquid.
Residents who want to get their hands on the invisible liquid should contact their dedicated ward officer for the details of their local Neighbourhood Watch, or set up their own to take delivery of one of 750 property marking kits the council bought. The local authority has also purchased 750 kits specifically designed to mark cars.
The invisible, individually traceable liquid and property marking product can be applied to any non-porous surface on items of value to deter theft and to help identify culprits. The liquid leaves a long lasting and unique identifier that is invisible to the naked eye except under an ultraviolet black light.
Each batch has its own ‘signature’ which means that when police retrieve property marked with SmartWater they can return it to its rightful owner. Prosecutions involving evidence gleaned from SmartWater have a 100 per cent prosecution rate.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, Cllr Chris Bond, said: “Christmas is a time to be happy and not jolly annoyed that someone has broken into your house and stolen your prized possessions, so we’d urge residents to take sensible precautions to ensure they have an enjoyable festive season.
“Using SmartWater is a great way of protecting your property and it is a known deterrent for burglars who know that if they get caught handling items marked with it, they are probably going to go to jail. We’ve purchased a massive batch so thousands of residents can have peace of mind this Christmas that their possessions are safe. We’re also advising people to take other sensible precautions over the winter months to further minimise the chance of being targeted by burglars so they have a Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year.”
DI Greg Coates, Detective Inspector Crime Reduction and Partnerships, said ” I am delighted Enfield Council has taken the decision to invest in this product, which will greatly enhance our ability to trace property, prosecute offenders and thereby safeguard residents against burglary.
“We have jointly decided to roll this out through Neighbourhood Watch, and I would encourage all residents interested starting or joining a Watch to contact their dedicated Ward Officer.”
Contact your local Ward Officer by going here, and entering your postcode: http://content.met.police.uk/Page/YourBorough
Advice against burglars
§ Remember to close and lock all your windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
§ Windows on the ground floor and in accessible areas should be made of toughened glass or doubled glazed.
§ Make sure windows are fitted with a good lock appropriate for the window type.
§ Avoid leaving valuables, house or car keys near windows.
Doors
Doors are the primary route of entry and exit for most burglars, so it’s vital you secure them effectively. You can improve home security by making simple adjustments to your front door
¦The door should be fitted with a 5 lever mortice deadlock.
¦Ensure that the frame is strong and will support the door, hinges and lock.
¦Make sure the door is suitable for external use and is a minimum of 45mm thick.
¦Consider fitting a London Bar or Birmingham bar to provide additional support to the door frame.
¦Letterboxes should have an internal cover plate.
¦For additional safety and security fit a spy hole and door chain.
¦Do not leave house keys in or near the door as they can get removed through the letterbox.
If you have a UPVC door always lift the hand up and lock the door when you leave the home, unless you do this the lock is not properly engaged and a burglar could easily walk through your front door and into your house.
And in flats:
§ Invest in a strong door and door frame with good quality locks.
§ PVCu and aluminum doors generally have multi-locking systems. When you lock the door, remember to remove the key. Always put keys in a safe and easily accessible place in case of fire.
§ Internal letterbox shields also prevent access to the handle inside or keys being fished through the letterbox.
§ Frames should be reinforced with reinforcing metal strips called ‘London’ and ‘Birmingham’ bars.
§ Hinge bolts should be fitted to outward opening doors.
§ Glass panels in doors should be replaced with laminated glass or reinforced with security film or grilles.
§ Door viewers enable residents to see callers before they open the door.
§ Wooden back doors should be solid timber, with a British Standard 5-lever mortice lock and two mortice rack bolts.
§ French, patio and balcony doors should have a minimum of three locking points. Patio doors should be fitted with an anti-lift device to prevent them being lifted from their runners.
§ All ground floor windows and any windows that are easily accessible must have key operated window locks.
§ Audible intruder alarm systems with flashing lights are a good deterrent against burglary.
§ Security lighting increases vision and makes burglars feel vulnerable and at risk of being seen.
