A Stoke-on-Trent-based residents’ group is on the right track to preventing crime after it received funding from Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Tunstall North Residents’ Association (TNRA) has received £1,000 from Matthew Ellis’ community funding to purchase 100 Smartwater forensic marking kits as part of a self-funding, not-for-profit scheme.
Adding Smartwater’s liquid solution to property marks it with a unique chemical that cannot be seen by the naked eye and is incredibly difficult to remove – the solution glows under ultraviolet light, allowing the police to detect if the property has been stolen.
Tunstall North Residents’ Association will sell the kits to residents in the area, and as each one sold, the money goes back into the scheme to purchase more kits.
Mr Ellis said: “This initiative is really effective, it’s like putting a ‘ring of steel’ around a community, making it safe from theft.
“Thieves avoid areas protected by this sort of product as they know that the chances of being caught are so high – I really hope other communities follow this example.”
The next window for community funding from the PCC’s People Power Fund will open on 1 August until 14 September. People Power applications need to be sponsored by the group’s local Neighbourhood Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer.
Tunstall North Residents’ Association hope to sell the kits to as many residents as possible within their 900-property area, which stretches from the top of Summerbank Road and High Street, down to Madison Street and west to Broomhill Street.
Dennis Viggars, Chairman of TNRA said: “We’re very grateful to Matthew Ellis for providing this funding for us and our residents.
“So far, 20 households in the area have taken part – when more residents are covered, then we will think about displaying street signs which show that we are a Smartwater area, increasing the deterrent to would-be thieves.”
Smartwater is suitable for those who move property, as one phone call is all that’s needed to change the address registered to their unique chemical. Plus, some properties that use Smartwater receive cheaper home insurance, depending on provider.
To purchase a kit please contact Michael Lockett, Local Matters Officer, on 01782 234234 or email Michael.lockett@stoke.gov.uk
More details, including application forms and an animated video about the PCC’s People Power Fund, are available now at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund
