As part of making safer, Police have been giving away an anti-theft liquid called SmartWater to help people protect their personal possessions -- and buildings too. As well as being an excellent way for residents to protect a wide range of valuables like jewellery, TVs, i-pods, bicycles and power tools, it is also being used to protect buildings from lead thieves.

SmartWater is a transparent liquid applied by brush, which provides a unique DNA type coding. It enables police to identify ownership of recovered items that have been applied with SmartWater. Many domestic properties, business premises, churches and schools across the borough are now protected with SmartWater.

Basically, SMARTWATER provides Police with a liquid DNA.

The solution is painted onto household items and leaves a forensic fingerprint encoded with the owner's details, which is virtually impossible to remove.

By displaying the SmartWater warning labels you will let criminals know that your property is protected.

How does it work as a crime deterrent ?

Studies have shown that the most powerful deterrent for any criminal is the thought that they might get caught. Sinse SmartWater has been introduced to in 2003, there has been a 31% reduction in burglary.

Thieves simply cannot risk handling stolen goods coded with SmartWater because 'forensic profiling' means they can be linked directly to the crime... often long after the event. Stronger and more accurate than DNA itself, SmartWater deters criminals because they know that they will be arrested and convicted.

Just code your possessions with SmartWater and your unique formula enables them to be forensically identified.

This innovative scheme was originally piloted last year in around 7 licensed premises in the Borough using covert systems. These premises had previously reported thefts of fruit machines from their premises. In late 2003 these premises had the SMARTWATER spray covertly installed and since then they have not reported any further thefts.

Sutton is one of the first Boroughs in the Met to launch SMARTWATER and more information and kits can be obtained for £25 by calling 0333 320 7797

In an emergency always call 999
An emergency is when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.
e.g. - If your house is being burgled (or the suspect is nearby) call 999
If your car is being stolen (or the suspect is nearby) call 999

If it’s not an emergency call 101 this is London's new non emergency contact number should you need to report a crime that has occurred.

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
If you have information about a crime but would prefer not to speak to police, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity.  http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Do not use the Neighbourhood Watch telephone number for the office in Sutton Police Station as it is not checked daily