Residents in Littleworth and Berry Hill reported concerns about burglary earlier this year, saying this was their number one priority for police to tackle.
Using information from the public following a series of door-to-door enquiries, SmartWater was offered to vulnerable addresses in the area, protecting residents’ homes and property from repeat burglary. As a result burglary in the area has reduced by a massive 84 per cent since the beginning of February this year.
SmartWater is a colorless liquid used to invisibly mark personal property ranging from electrical items to vehicles. Each pack of SmartWater contains a unique code which is registered to an individual address. Police can trace stolen items back to the owner using the code.
PCSO Kay Yelland of the Berry Hill Safer Neighborhood team said: “We listened to residents concerns and have made a real difference in tackling their top priority. We made a successful bid for more money for SmartWater and I’m delighted to say that we can now offer SmartWater to more than 300 further households on selected streets which are ‘hotspots’.
This also sends out the message that Littleworth and Berry Hill is now closed to would-be burglars. We hold regular public meetings for people to come and tell us what they want us to concentrate on, everyone is welcome.”
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