POLICE are targeting residential burglars by using a sophisticated property marking solution.

SelectaDNA is a special liquid that can be painted onto properties to trap offenders.

First used on empty buildings in Rossendale, it has now been used on the Woodland Grange estate in Bacup.

The special fluid transfers onto the skin, clothes or shoes of an offender irrefutably linking them to the crime scene.

Crime prevention officer Phil Buck said: “The use of DNA marking and transferable DNA is being increased across the Pennine Police Division.

“It’s already been used to great effect on vacated buildings and those subject to entry by youths causing anti-social behaviour and now we are looking at new uses.

“Those new uses include residential households.”

It has been bought with funds from the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) and distributed by Bacup Neighbourhood Watch Groups, neighbourhood policing officers and volunteers.

Welcoming the initiative, Coun Michael Christie, from Irwell ward, said: “The police spoke with us regarding the initiative and I am fully behind it.

“Burglary is a notoriously difficult crime for police to tackle so anything which helps them tackle the issue is a good thing.

“I think the new DNA scheme is marvellous.”

Police have issued a warning to prospective burglars in Bacup as part of the new scheme this week.

PCSO Nick Stratton said: “Marking the properties there will help to deter criminal activity and ensure that if a crime is committed we have a much better chance of catching the offender.

“Our message is clear: commit crime in Rossendale and we’ll catch you.”