Police to use SmartWater to tackle Pendle stone thefts

9:51pm Wednesday 30th April 2008

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INNOVATIVE new technology will be used to tackle a spate of stone thefts from cemeteries and homes across the borough.

SmartWater' is to be place on stones in Earby and Barnoldswick's Ghyll cemetery following a spate of 20 thefts last October.

The chemically-altered liquid is invisible to the naked eye but contains a unique code, similar to DNA.

It can be seen under ultra-violet light, remains on the skin for weeks and can be used to link thieves to specific crimes.

West Craven Area Committee Safety Partnership are funding the initiative, which will begin in the next few months. Police have ordered the SmartWater' and are waiting for delivery.

Pendle Council's parks and recreation services are also considering investing in the new technology.

Police suspect stones are being loosened in the day time by people dressed as workers, who then return at night to steal them.

Sergeant Carole Langhorn, who covers West Craven, said, they also had a problem with stone thefts from gate posts on homes in Colne Road and Skipton Road, Earby, with 13 incidents from February to the present.

She said:"The SmartWater' is on order with funding from the West Craven Committee and we should hopefully be able to use it soon.

"We have had a problem with increased stone thefts.

"We have done a leaflet drop to warn people to be on the lookout for workers in the area when there is no work being done.

"Anyone who sees anything suspicious should contact the police."

Pendle Council said the cost of brushing the water across the thousands of graves across Pendle could run into thousands of pounds.

And the bereavement services, who are undertaking a feasibility study into the technology, would also need permission from the families of those buried because the graves belong to them.

A worker at the bereavement services, who does not wish to be named, said: "This is something we are looking at to combat the stone thefts.

"Whether we use it will depend a lot on cost and also we have to speak to the families of those buried in the cemeteries."

Anyone who sees anything suspicious should contact Sgt Langhorn on 01282 425001/472820.