First BID deploys DNA Defence Spray to protect jewellery stores
Lichfield BID (Business Improvement District) in Staffordshire is taking innovative measures to protect its jewellery store members by being the first BID to use a new DNA offender marking spray to deter robberies and smash & grab raids committed by travelling criminal groups.
Safer City Services, the crime reduction arm of Lichfield BID, which is the elected authority by the business community of Lichfield, has just launched a new ShopSafe scheme across its city-centre jewellery stores, with staff receiving special training to carry the compact, handheld DNA sprays to protect themselves and retail stock.
The SelectaDNA Defence Spray, which is Secured by Design accredited having achieved Police Preferred Specification, can discreetly tag and identify an offender without the need for physical intervention. It sprays the offender with an invisible solution of unique synthetic DNA code and UV marker that clings to skin and clothing for days, weeks or even months. When an offender is arrested, police can use an ultraviolet light to locate marked areas, immediately linking them to the crime scene. This can lead to their arrest and conviction.
Lichfield is part of the Greater Birmingham Economic Area with many of its jewellers also operating in the Jewellery Quarter in central Birmingham, where there is a known higher risk of shop theft.
Brendon Stewart, Supervising BID Support Officer, Safer City Services, Lichfield BID, said: “We have had a very positive reception from our jewellery store members during the ShopSafe rollout. Stores are definitely feeling more confident now they have the added protection of the defence sprays and once they have applied the visible deterrent warning signs to their windows and doorways.”
He added: “Lichfield BID hope this initiative triggers other BIDs across the country to consider SelectaDNA as a recommended crime prevention partner.”
The SelectaDNA Defence Spray is already being used by a leading sports fashion retailer and by security guards at major shopping centres in London. It has been introduced at a top Premiership football club to protect fans and keep trouble-makers away on match days.
Many UK Police Forces, including West Midlands Police, are using the technology to target the antisocial and criminal use of scrambler bikes and mopeds.
SBD is a police-owned organisation that works on behalf of the Police Service throughout the UK to deliver a wide range of crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives.
SBD have many partner organisations, ranging from the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the Police Service through to local authorities, housing associations, developers and manufacturers and work closely with standards and certification bodies to ensure that their publicly available standards actually meet the needs of the police and public alike.
Products must be subjected to vigorous testing and auditing by an accredited third party organisation before being allowed to carry the SBD logo – this is the only way for companies to obtain police accreditation for security related products in the UK.
Selectamark Security Systems PLC
Selectamark, global leader in forensic marking, offers property and offender marking products combining unique DNA coding with microdot technology.
Tel: 01689 860757
Email:
Web: www.selectamark.co.uk
Secured by Design
Email:
Web: www.securedbydesign.com
Video: https://youtu.be/jZ7oeAQcHmc