Dales residents embrace Smart way to beat crime
- Monday, 15 October 2012 14:06
More than 200 SmartWater kits were given out to Derbyshire Dales residents last week in an autumn 2012 crime prevention campaign that continues this Thursday.
The free kits were issued to residents in Ashbourne and Tansley in a multi-agency operation led by Derbyshire Dales District Council and Derbyshire police.
And the campaign team is returning to Ashbourne's Shawcroft car park this Thursday (18 October) from 2-8pm with more free fits and good advice.
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.
The door-knocking promotion - which last month also visited Brailsford and Hathersage - included Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Services, Peaks & Dales Volunteering and Advancement Project, Derbyshire Handyvan and Dales Housing.
Thursday's operation at Ashbourne's Trees Estate - including a mobile police unit - was a direct response to a recent spate of burglaries in that area of the town.
Crime prevention advice was given by the campaign team, with a free Smartwater kit to protect valuables and other property. The kits include a supply of Smartwater, signs to tell would-be burglars that a house is protected, and registration so that any missing property can be returned.
Where no-one was at home, team members left a calling card with security tips, entitling residents to claim a free SmartWater kit from their local police station until the end of October. In Ashbourne SmartWater kits are also available on an ongoing basis from Neighbourhood Watch groups at £20 a time.
Anyone wanting more information was invited to sign up to the Constabulary's 'Alert' system, to ensure they are kept informed of any initiatives and activities.
Tansley resident Ruth Bartlett said:
"I found the crime prevention advice extremely useful. I have to say I do feel safer after today's visit."
Derbyshire Dales District Council Leader Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, who is also Chairman of Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership, said:
"While we are conscious that the Derbyshire Dales remains one of the safest places in the UK to live, work and visit, we refuse to be complacent and last week's operation in Ashbourne was a speedy response to a series of burglaries in the Trees Estate area of the town. We're delighted to be returning to the town this Thursday.
"As a partnership we believe in getting out into our communities to hear what local people are saying and to reinforce crime prevention advice that ensures they stay safe in their own homes."
Derbyshire Dales Inspector Bryan Hall said:
"The response from Derbyshire Dales residents last week to our autumn campaign was extremely positive. We wanted local people to know that police forces throughout the UK are now trained to look for SmartWater and that it can be a very useful tool in the fight against crime.
"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.
