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A forensic liquid is to be used in schools across the region to curb crime.

The protective marking system, known as SmartWater, will arm Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary with a new weapon in the war on theft in both primary and secondary schools. The chemically-unique liquid is used to mark equipment and property giving officers the ability to return recovered stolen property to the right school. Spray devices are also in use, which can tag offenders with SmartWater, meaning they will carry evidence of their crime wherever they go.

Dumfries crime reduction officer Derek Hughes said: ‘It is another step towards protecting some of our most valuable buildings in the region. As we enter the summer school breaks, when the buildings are empty for a long period of time, it gives added protection to the building and the contents.

‘Thieves coming into our custody anywhere in the force are routinely checked for the presence of SmartWater and if found, we will be able to find out which school, or other building they have broken into.”