‘Smart Water’ to end crimewaves?
Police criticised by barrister over effectiveness of substance that can help identify criminals
Published: 11 June, 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB
A BARRISTER has criticised a skin-branding chemical that police say is helping them hunt down criminals who break into homes and vehicles.
Islington officers are setting traps using “Smart Water”, which is sprayed on intruders and linked to a database, which can connect a property or offender to a crime or location. The chemical can be mixed in five billion different ways and can remain on skin for up to three months.
Every single person who is arrested will now be asked to pass through an ultra-violet detector searching for traces of Smart Water.
But the scheme has come under fire from criminal barrister David Renton, who believes it is unworkable.
Mr Renton, of Garden Court Chambers, said: “This is an extraordinary scheme. It’s all about gimmicks. It will do nothing in the detection of crime. Certain tests can be held against you in court if you refuse to take them.
“This is not one of them.
“If a robber refuses [to pass through an ultra-violet detector], the police have no powers to make them. Any experienced thief will know to get legal advice and they will tell them to refuse.
“The only people who will be caught are probably people with innocent explanations. The main use of Smart Water is to be painted on property and it will be the well-meaning members of the public who will end up having to explain how they came to be painted.”
Smart Water, which costs £60 per kit to buy privately, is being given out to households in Hillrise ward for free after Safer Neighbourhoods officers secured funds from Islington Council.
Now, Borough Commander Mike Wise is hoping to extend the scheme to the whole borough.
Hillrise Safer Neighbourhoods PC Edd Marques-Mortimer, who came up with the idea, said since Smart Water was introduced in the ward, burglary has fallen by 35 per cent.
He said criminals fear Smart Water as it has a high conviction rate.
“Smart Water’s uniqueness is in its own make-up,” said PC Marques-Mortimer. “You can put it on anything, jewellery, antiques, just a small dab where it’s difficult to remove. We can take a scrap and send it off to Smart Water.”
From there, the sample is matched to a database.
PC Marques-Mortimer added: “We’re not just looking for marked property but also marked offenders. We’re setting traps for burglars in properties and motor vehicles.”
“When sprayed, it leaves a UV marker on them, which sticks on skin and clothes. If they are arrested for anything, we put them through UV lights, already fitted in the station. Most burglars are aware of Smart Water and don’t like it.”
His team is visiting households issued with a kit, to give crime prevention advice, check locks are secure and register their personal Smart Water potion.
• Hillrise residents can find out if they are eligible for a free kit by contacting Hillrise Safer Neighbourhoods team on 020 8345 3921.