Media Centre
Success Stories
Crime Reduction through Forensic Coding
The impact of SmartWater as a criminal deterrent is becoming increasingly apparent every day. Police forces across the nation are using and supporting The SmartWater Strategy, and most importantly criminals are taking notice – living with the fear of being caught and convicted of crimes long after they have taken place.
The following stories highlight the success of The SmartWater Strategy when deployed by regional police as part of their crime reduction initiatives. Each success story gives information detailing the specifics of the crime reduction strategy as well as their objectives, and examples of the press coverage that each initiative achieved.
'Our goal is to achieve ‘100% SmartWater'
In June 2006, The Safer Doncaster Partnership launched the country’s largest ever SmartWater initiative with a commitment to deliver SmartWater to over 20,000 homes across Doncaster by March 2008.
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Date: 30/05/2007
Source: Mayor of Doncaster
'Bait cars in the North East Leeds division have resulted in 10 arrests'
Following the success of the Doncaster trap car operation, West Yorkshire police unveiled plans to use similar trap car technology to protect areas of Leeds in December 2006.
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Date: 09/03/2007
Source: Yorkshire Evening Post
'SmartWater is the new way to beat retail crime'
SmartWater’s Index Spray System was first piloted at 5 Woolworths stores in Nottingham after a string of burglaries. The trial period successfully combated the problem, with all 5 reporting no further criminal activity.
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Date: 21/02/2007
Source: Woolworths
'Burglaries in SmartWater areas have reduced by 40%'
The "Safer Schools" scheme was launched in March 2005. Officers worked alongside teachers and pupils for several months to educate them on SmartWater applications as well as on other crime prevention and reduction measures in preparation for the launch.
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Date: 01/01/2007
Source: Congleton Chronicle
'A cut in business crime has saved businesses £4.8m'
In July 2005 Derbyshire Constabulary unveiled the UK’s largest SmartWater business project; a 12 month plan to put SmartWater into 1,200 businesses in an effort to reduce the number of business burglaries.
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Date: 01/11/2006
Source: Business Magazine
'SmartWater has saved £124,440 in insurance claims by slashing burglary rates'
The SmartWater Strategy was first introduced to Coventry City schools in late 2004 as means of tackling a rise in the number of school burglaries – with thieves targeting laptops, computers and multimedia projectors.
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Date: 08/04/2006
Source: Coventry Evening Telegraph
'SmartWater has cut thefts by 60% in the old rag trade area of Oxford Market'
To tackle burglary in the Oxford Market Commercial District, just off Oxford Street, Marylebone Police teamed up with Westminster City Council and the Oxford Market Business Watch.
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Date: 12/08/2005
Source: Ham and High
SmartWater had a significant effect on crime levels
SmartWater’s presence at the 2005 British Grand Prix was requested by Northamptonshire Police Force as a means of providing deterrence and disruption to organised criminals targeting Silverstone’s campsites.
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Date: 30/07/2005
Source: Northamptonshire Police
'The bottom line is that SmartWater works, ask our Head Teachers'
The SmartWater Strategy was first launched in April 2005 following a huge increase in the level of theft and vandalism in schools across Darlington – with 82 incidents reported across 40 schools in 2004/2005. Insurance figures also revealed that claims from schools in relation to theft and vandalism had increasing by more than 50% within the space of a year.
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Date: 14/07/2005
Source: Darlington Borough Council
'School burglaries involving IT equipment have dropped by 65%'
The North West Leicestershire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, which includes representatives from North West Leicestershire District Council and Leicestershire Constabulary, launched the SmartWater Strategy to tackle a spate of school burglaries.
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Date: 26/05/2005
Source: Ashby & Coalville Mail