SmartWater campaign hits Tansley & Ashbourne
- Monday, 08 October 2012 10:13
The Derbyshire Dales village of Tansley and Ashbourne's Trees Estate are being targeted this week as part of an autumn 2012 campaign that focuses on Smartwater crime prevention.
The Ashbourne operation is a direct response to a recent spate of burglaries in that area of the town.
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 has already visited Hathersage, Brailsford in September and moves on to Tansley this Wednesday (10 October) - based at the primary school from 9.30am to 3pm. The following day the campaign team will be knocking on doors in Ashbourne, 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 parked on the Trees Estate in Ashbourne from 10am to 7pm this Thursday (11 October).
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.
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.
"We are conscious that a number of homes in Ashbourne have recently been targeted by burglars and this is our instant response."
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.
For further advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood policing team on 101.
