SmartWater kits aiming to reduce burglaries in Newham
The system will be rolled out in September - Credit: Archant
An innovative property marking system is set to be rolled out across the borough to help reduce burglary.
The MetTrace programme will see 3,868 homes in Newham’s burglary hotspots receive a free security marketing kit.
It contains an invisible property marking solution that allows people to mark their valuables with a unique forensic code.
This can then be used by the police to trace the items should they ever be stolen.
A team of specially trained Safer Neighbourhood officers will be visiting homes from Monday, September 7 to explain and demonstrate the SmartWater kits, which also contain a window sticker.
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Chief Inso Shabnam Chaudhri said: “The delivery of SmartWater kits in targeted areas will have a significant impact on burglary reduction and other crimes in Newham.
“Those who commit crime are frightened of this technology.
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“We can’t make this a success without you, so when my officers come to your home I would ask that you sign up and protect yourself and your neighbourhood.”
If you are not in when the police visit, a card will be put through your door so that officers can attend at a more convenient time.
The scheme is being supported by Newham Council.
Cllr Unmesh Desai, cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “Being burgled is a horrible experience, which leaves people feeling vulnerable and unsafe in their own homes - often precious possessions are lost forever.
“Through MetTrace less residents should become victims, but if they do there’s more of chance that they will get their items back by using SmartWater.”
During a Metropolitan Police trial, burglary rates were reduced by an average of 49 per cent.
In total, 440,000 kits will be distributed across London over the next three years.
