RESIDENTS in the Bewsey and Whitecross areas of Warrington are being encouraged to grab free property marking kits that protects homes from burglars before the giveaway runs out on Monday March 15.
So far Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) have visited 4,388 homes with 1,510 being fitted with the unique crime-fighting tool that helps protect homes and possessions.
The SelectaDNA forensic coding spray liquid is an invisible dye placed on items inside the home such as jewellery, laptops and TVs.
Officers can use specialist lighting to identify the property and link them to specific incidents using a unique code.
They will look to prosecute anyone found to have been in possession of an item that has been marked that they cannot account for.
The free gift comes from grant funding worth more than £500,000 and is part of a scheme that focuses on tackling crime including burglary and acquisitive crime.
The £550,000 grant was secured by Warrington-based Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane from the government’s Safer Streets Fund which was set up to prevent crimes in certain areas.
Residents who were not at home at the time the PCSOs visited would have received a leaflet and if they are yet to take up the free gift they are asked to get in touch by emailing the safer streets team.
Inspector Ruth Atherton, from Warrington Local Policing Unit and leading on the project, said: “We have now almost visited 4,500 homes and managed to help protect over 1,500 with the crime prevention tool.
“However we are determined to fit as many homes as we can but in order to do this, we need residents to get in touch with us before March 15.
“This free gift as part of the safer streets funding is a perfect opportunity for residents to protect their possessions and homes.
“The property marking kits are an excellent way to make it difficult for burglars to sell items they have stolen. It will enable officers to identify the owners of the stolen property so it can be returned to them.”
PCC Keane said: “I know officers and partners are working extremely hard to visit each house in Bewsey and Whitecross to offer and fit homes with free security marking kits.
“The delivery of this crime-fighting tool to is a fantastic way to protect homes from burglars and opportunistic thieves.
Residents will also be visited by warden who are conducting security assessments and fitting other devices such as doors and window locks, door chains, padlocks and CCTV doorbells.
To make sure you grab the free security equipment please email [email protected] and provide your full name, address, email and contact number and a member of the team will get in touch.
