Case Studies

Metal thieves traced

by msecadm4921

Police, Swansea Neighbourhood Watch and Swansea Council are seeking to stop metal thieves in the city by deploying forensic marking products. A spate of thefts of copper pipe in the Morriston area in the last few months has prompted the initiative. Council tenants can get copper piping at their homes security-marked with SelectaDNA  from Selectamark. Warning signs have gone up around the Caemawr area to warn potential thieves of the security measure.

 

 

SelectaDNA Trace is described as suitable for outdoor metal marking projects. The product comes in an aerosol and contains two identifiers: Trace nanoparticles which authenticates the mark as a SelectaDNA product, and metal microdots which identifies who the registered owner is. The code on the metal microdots is linked to a database, accessible to police via online login.

 

 

According to Selectamark the main benefit of Trace over standard forensic property marking products is that it allows police to identify stolen property on the spot, which means they are no longer reliant on lab analysis, which takes time. This has led to arrests and convictions, with thieves admitting their crime because of the on the spot evidence.

 

Tony Pain, South Wales Police Crime Reduction Advisor said: “The metalwork has been marked with a DNA-style forensic solution. This solution contains a unique code which enables the police to positively identify the marked items and is one of the tools we are using in Swansea to tackle metal theft.”

 

Housing officers in Swansea said that they had received a number of complaints from tenants who claimed that they had pipe work missing or that their gas meter had been tampered with.

 

June Burtonshaw, Cabinet Member for Place in Swansea Council said: “We are doing everything we can with the help of local police to make sure residents are safe and their homes are not threatened by mindless thieves.If council tenants notice anyone suspicious near their property they should contact the police immediately.”

 

Local police officers are also talking to city scrap metal dealers to make them aware of the metal theft and to advise them not to buy scrap without asking for proof of ID. 

 

Phil Williams, Neighbourhood PCSO said: “This type of crime is not common but interfering with the gas supply could cause an explosion. We are all working together to keep the residents safe.”

 

And Jackie Pickard, Chair of Swansea Neighbourhood Watch Association said: “Our local schemes are only too pleased to help the local Policing teams and our partners in tackling local crime whenever we can.”

 

For further information:

 

Selectamark Security Systems plc

1 Locks Court, 429 Crofton Road,

Locksbottom, Kent BR6 8NL U.K.

T: +44 (0)1689 860757

F: +44 (0)1689 860693

 

www.selectaDNA.co.uk | @selectadna | facebook.com/SelectaDNA

www.bikeregister.com  | @bikeregister | facebook.com/BikeRegister

www.selectamark.co.uk  | @selectamark

 

Selectamark is a provider of Secured by Design (“SBD”) Police Approved Products; and a member of The British Security Industry Association (“BSIA”); and Aerospace, Defence and Security trade body ADS. 

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