A Product Innovation award at the UK Rail Industry Awards 2016 went to Selectamark Security Systems PLC. The annual awards, held on Thursday, February 11, celebrate innovation in the rail industry.
The award was for the use of Selectamark’s forensic marking product SelectaDNA, which has helped reduce metal theft on Network Rail lines. Selectamark has been working with security contractor Land Sherrifs since 2011 to reduce and deter metal theft on routes owned by Network Rail including the Anglia, Kent and Sussex lines; and on the HS1 route, maintained by Network Rail under contract to HS1 Ltd. Metal theft has fallen on all marked routes using our SelectaDNA Trace product.
SelectaDNA is a specially-formulated spray containing UV markers, synthetic DNA and metal particles that can be used to identify the cable as belonging to a rail operator and coming from a specific location. It has been deployed at specific crime hotspots along routes to reduce the number of thefts of rail equipment such as copper cable, rail track and signal boxes belonging to Network Rail.
There have been no live cable thefts for nearly two years on the HS1 rail route since SelectaDNA has been used to protect the entire line (2013-15).
Chris Gough at Land Sheriffs said: “Having thousands of visible SelectaDNA signs in place has also acted as a deterrent and helped us achieve the low amount of cable crime on the HS1 route. This is as a direct result of using SelectaDNA.”
Over 12 months in 2012-13, use of SelectaDNA Trace with other security measures, helped reduce cable theft on Network Rail’s Anglia route by 82pc and helped cut delays by 86pc.
Savings are from not having to purchase and install new cable, and from the reductions in delay minutes, which are costly to Network Rail and the industry in general, but also inconvenient for passengers.
Tyler Le May from LandSherrifs said: “Once metal has been marked, its resale value to the criminal plummets. Through our collaborative working with Selectamark, we have found SelectaDNA to be a highly effective way of deterring metal thieves in the first instance. Thieves know that if they are caught with metal marked with SelectaDNA then the police are able to connect them directly to a particular theft and they will almost certainly be convicted.”
James Brown, MD of Selectamark said: “When we were selected by Network Rail and High Speed 1 as their chosen Forensic Marking provider, we were 100pc focused and determined to help drive down metal theft on the railways. Whilst we had every confidence in our technology and its proven ability to deter theft and convict criminals, we knew it would take a significant team effort to realise the ambitious goals of the project.
“In particular, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of British Transport Police and the MET Police for their ongoing commitment to search for SelectaDNA-marked cable and metals, and Search Dogs UK for their support and expertise in training the world’s first forensic marking search dog. Finally I must thank Land Sheriffs for their efforts in deploying our technology, and all the other highly significant tactics they employ to protect and safeguard Network Rail’s infrastructure, employees and indeed the general public.”
