Car thieves throw in the towel

A hidden "water pistol" that fires an indelible spray at car thieves has slashed vehicle crime in a unique police experiment.

The spray contains DNA-style genetic "fingerprints" that stick to the culprits and can be detected by police officers using ultraviolet light scanners. Police have been fitting the £100 device to "trap vehicles" left parked unattended to snare thieves in car crime hotspots.

They claim that thefts were virtually eradicated after officers were issued with hand-held scanners to check suspects in the opening two weeks of Britain's first six-month trial at Hove, East Sussex.

Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison said officers visited 20 of the area's most active car thieves to brief them about the consequences if they activate the devices deployed as part of a high-profile campaign targeting known offenders. The liquid, called SmartWater, is manufactured under licence from the Home Office Forensic Science Service and each batch contains a unique combination of coded particles modelled on DNA profiles that can be detected for months afterwards.

Hotspots targeted in and around Hove include housing estates, supermarket car parks and multi-storey car parks that provide easy pickings for thieves stealing vehicles or items from inside them.

"We have seen a considerable reduction in car crime episodes in areas where we have deployed trap vehicles fitted with Smart-Water devices," said Mr Harrison.

He added: "Crime normally peaks in the run-up to Christmas but that didn't happen this year." SmartWater sprays have previously been deployed to protect schools and business premises from burglars but this is the first time they have been adapted to help fight car crime.

Several forces around the country are now planning similar initiatives. "Like DNA profiling, anything - or anyone - with just a trace of SmartWater can be identified. It is difficult to argue with forensic proof," said a spokesman for the manufacturer based at Newport, Shropshire.

The spokesman added: "There are millions of combinations, each uniquely coded and licensed. Its 'forensic fingerprint' has proved a potent deterrent to criminal activity.

"Criminals have the greatest fear and respect for the power of forensic science."

Added one Hove officer: "It certainly seems to be making car thieves on our patch think twice."