Water way to stop crime!

: Tuesday, 11 September 2012 15:09

The Derbyshire Dales communities of Hathersage, Brailsford and Tansley have been targeted in an autumn 2012 campaign that focuses on Smartwater crime prevention.

Smartwater Derbyshire Dales District Council and Derbyshire Constabulary are leading a multi-agency door-knocking promotion that also includes Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Services, Peaks & Dales Volunteering and Advancement Project, Derbyshire Handyvan and Dales Housing.

The campaign starts in Hathersage on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 September, when the campaign team will knock on doors offering crime prevention advice and a free Smartwater kit to protect their valuables and other property. The kits include a supply of Smartwater, signs to tell would-be burglars your house is protected, and registration so that any missing property can be returned to you.

Residents will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire. A calling card with Smartwater safety tips will be left when no-one is at home.

A mobile police station will be at Hathersage Fire Station from 9am to 3pm on 12 September and then Oddfellows Road car park in the village on 13 September from 4pm to 8pm.

Anyone wanting more information will be invited to sign up to the Constabulary's 'Alert' system, to ensure they are kept informed of any initiatives and activities.

The exercise will be repeated in Brailsford on 19 September, when the police unit will be at Brailsford Methodist Church from 9am to 3pm and then on 20 September at Brailsford Institute car park from 4pm to 8pm. The campaign moves on to Tansley on 10 and 11 October.

Derbyshire Dales District Council Leader Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, who is also Chairman of Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership, said:

"Getting out into our communities in this way not only helps maintain the Dales' record as one of the safest place in the UK to live, work and visit - it also ensures that the residents of the Derbyshire Dales stay safe in their own homes."

Derbyshire Dales Inspector Bryan Hall said:

"Police Forces throughout the UK are trained to look for SmartWater. Second hand dealers, scrap merchants and metal recyclers are working with the police and are scanning goods and metals with UV equipment.

"Dales residents can help themselves in the fight against crime by taking advantage of this campaign. SmartWater is an invisible liquid that fluoresces green under ultra-violet (UV) light and contains a unique forensic fingerprint. With over two billion combinations, SmartWater links property to its owner and criminals to a crime scene.

"Having Smartwater signage up also acts as a deterrent, telling any would-be burglar that your property is marked and registered so harder for them to dispose of."

To report suspicious activity or if you have any information about crime, call Derbyshire police on 101, the non-emergency number. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.