SmartWater Technology Ltd has been presented with a prestigious Leicestershire Police Force APEX (Achieving Performance Excellence) Award following a year long partnership.
Leicestershire Constabulary launched Operation Ebony in June 2008 to combat the theft of scrap metal across the county. The operation involved a series of covert and overt initiatives that took place at primarily at scrap metal merchants. The theft of metal is a UK-wide problem and the high profile Leicestershire campaign was launched to put pressure on receivers and make it increasingly difficult for thieves to sell on stolen goods.
Leicestershire Police worked closely in partnership with SmartWater, whose Crime Support staff attended each Operation Ebony action day equipped with UV detection lights. These were used to search for any SmartWater marked metals which may have been stolen. The multi-agency operations were also attended by the Environment Agency, Customs and Excise, Trading Standards and the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA). The campaign will continue throughout 2009 and beyond to help suppress metal theft across Leicestershire.
Nationally over 25,000 churches are using SmartWater to protect lead roofing, whilst utility companies including ScottishPower and Anglian Water are using SmartWater to protect copper cabling. SmartWater is painted on to any metal item, assigning it with a forensic signature which can be traced back to its true owner. This provides the Police with powerful forensic evidence that allows them to prove if any metal is stolen. In support of this, recyclers including EMR and SITA UK are refusing to handle SmartWater marked metals, cutting off the means for thieves to sell on stolen goods and thereby removing the point of stealing it in the first place.
SmartWater Chief Executive, Phil Cleary, said: “Everyone at SmartWater will continue to do all they can to support Leicestershire Constabulary to combat metal theft. We are delighted and honoured to receive this award, which is testament to the hard work of SmartWater staff, Leicestershire Constabulary officers and everyone else involved in Operation Ebony.”
