HI-tech tactics are being used by police in Burnley as part of a crackdown on metal thieves.

Smart Water, which contains an individual iden-tification code similar to DNA, is being place on metal pipes at unoccupied homes as part of Operation Ferrous.

The use of Smart Water increases the chance of items being identified and traced back to where they were stolen from and the offender who took them.

It has already helped Pennine Division secure several convictions for theft and burglary.

Inspector Martin Melvin said: “Soaring scrap metal prices mean that theft is a problem right up and down the country but here in Burnley, we are taking firm action to curb the problem as part of Operation Ferrous.

“In addition to regular stop-checks on suspicious vehicles and increasing patrols, we are now security marking metal pipes in unoccupied homes across Burnley with Smart Water and supplying special UV lamps to scrap metal dealers so they can check items taken to them to see if they are stolen.

“Any items which glow under the UV lights will have been stolen and because of the unique nature of Smart Water, we will know where from.

"Since scrap dealers keep a log of goods brought in, we will also have a good idea who is responsible for the theft too.”