THE first residents on a Runcorn estate to benefit from a hi-tech security service have been signed up.
The groundbreaking SmartWater anti-theft scheme has been launched in Murdishaw, with housing association Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) offering the technology free to residents.
SmartWater is a chemically enhanced, colourless liquid containing individual DNA indicators, which can be painted on to property to provide a record of its owner. The residue lasts for more than 100 years and can be detected under ultraviolet light, allowing police to return recovered stolen property.
The scheme has been launched as a joint initiative with Cheshire Constabulary, Halton Community Watch and Murdishaw Residents' Association.
At the launch last week, Sgt Dave Bamber of Cheshire police said: 'LHT has taken a major step in crime prevention and crime detection for their residents and the wider community by initiating the introduction of Smart-Water to the Murdishaw area.'
SmartWater Technology's Nigel Anderson said: 'SmartWater is at the cutting edge of forensic science and has a proven track record of reducing crime wherever it is deployed. Combined with the SmartWater and police strategy, criminals are threatened with instant prosecution if found in possession of stolen items marked with SmartWater.
'A device is also available to spray criminals at the scene of the crime. SmartWater technology has resulted in more than 260 convictions to date.'
During the first phase, 153 bungalows belonging to retired residents on the estate will be protected, then more than 500 homes will be offered the service.
