Baptist Churches out to stop lead thefts
The Church insurer Ecclesiastical has issued SmartWater forensic kits to more than 400 Welsh Baptist chapels in order to help combat lead thefts.
Its figures for January to April 2010 show that they received 597 claims for metal thefts worth £1.3 million, more than double the 294 claims made during the same period in 2009.
SmartWater is a forensic liquid containing a chemical code that can be applied to any type of metal, including lead roofing. Any marked metals can be traced back to its point of origin, whilst thieves can be linked to a particular crime scene.
Scrap metal dealers and recyclers are increasingly equipping themselves with UV lights so they can check for SmartWater. If they find it then they are refusing to handle it and where necessary will inform the appropriate authorities.