“SmartWater has cut thefts by 44%
in the old rag trade area of
Oxford Market”

Ham & High, 12/08/05

Click the headline to view the full PDF of the article

In April 2005 Marylebone Police Force teamed up with Westminster City Council and the Oxford Market Business Watch to tackle burglary in the Oxford Market Commercial District, just off Oxford Street. Consisting of mainly media and IT-related businesses, the area had endured more than 200 burglaries in 2004 amounting to approximately £1million of property lost. Over 2,000 property coding systems were issued to businesses, with the offer of also installing an Index spray system, whilst signs were strategically placed on the lampposts of perimeter and link roads into the area and posters displayed in the windows of “SmartWatered” businesses. Custody suites at local police stations were also fitted with hand-held ultra-violet lights to scan suspects for traces of SmartWater. The campaign attracted massive media attention; featuring on BBC Radio1 Newsbeat and also becoming the subject of a news profile, produced by APTN and distributed to broadcasters including BBC News24 and Sky News. Just three months into the scheme, police recorded a 44% drop in thefts, with just 18 commercial burglaries reported, compared to 33 during the same period in 2004.

"For those who commit crime in a SmartWater area there will be no place to hide."

Superintendent Jon Morgan, Divisional Commander for Marylebone

"There have been no arrests, so the reduction is due to people having the knowledge that the area is protected by SmartWater. If someone walks up to a property and sees it is protected by SmartWater they are more likely to walk away."

Inspector Charlie Barber, Metropolitan Police Force

"Anyone foolish enough to steal from an area with SmartWater deserves all the punishment they get."

John Barradell, Westminster’s Director of Community Protection

Click here for a printable version of this page Click here to return to the original version of this page
 

“Sutton has experienced a 25% drop in burglary over 2 years”

Sutton Guardian 05/02/04

Click each headline to view the full PDF of the article

Sutton originally took up the SmartWater Strategy towards the end of 2003 and immediately proved adept at implementation of all aspects of the strategy. The SmartWater initiative was designated a formal project with fortnightly meetings and a team of 9 officers led by Chief Inspector Warren Shadbolt to drive the campaign forward. Implementation of SmartWater was conducted by Police and other partner agencies such as Neighbourhood Watch and a whole range of media was brought to bear. Sutton Police printed leaflets to promote the crime deterrent initiative and worked with the Local Authority and the local media, the Sutton Guardian in particular, to make sure that the Borough’s residents were aware of the campaign.

Other initiatives included the use of Index in covert operations (vehicle rat traps) and the use of SmartWater in conjunction with CCTV to completely eradicate racial harassment in the Borough. Publicity was also achieved with events in the town’s shopping centre and in local pubs as well as Police open days, engendering a strong community spirit between police and local residents. Even with the Borough having an already low crime rate, Sutton has achieved a reduction in burglary which is five times the national average and has completely eliminated race attacks in the area.

"Thieves can be sure that every day their chance of getting away with crime in Sutton diminishes."

Chief Inspector Warren Shadbolt, Sutton Police

"Using SmartWater to fight race hate is part of a wide ranging anti-crime initiative on the borough by targeting different offences we will deter offenders and reduce crime."

Chief Inspector Warren Shadbolt, Sutton Police

Click here for a printable version of this page Click here to return to the original version of this page