PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has given his backing to an initiative by the Housing Executive to make Crumlin the first ‘Smartwater’ town in Ireland.

Smartwater is an anti-criminal invisible fluid that can be sprayed on any item, or deployed by sprinkler system, and detected and analyzed at a later date by police. The special fluid is indelible and contains a unique code similar to DNA that correlates the criminal or assailant to a specific location.

During the first stage of this trial boilers and oil tanks in Housing Executive properties have been marked in response to a series of thefts and burglaries in the Crumlin area.

Mr Burns commented: “I am very interested in this project. The proposals are imaginative and seem good value for money. Obviously the main benefit of the technology is the deterrent it provides. Once the message gets out and is internalized by criminals they should realise, if they have any sense, that Smartwater properties are off-limits.

“Smartwater has previously been used in England to good effect and it is my understanding that criminals are taking notice. This means they think twice before committing impulsive crimes when they see the Smartwater logo, and if they proceed they live with the fear of being caught and convicted of crimes long after they have taken place.

“The Smartwater Strategy should also appeal to private homeowners, local businesses and traders, schools and any other number of stakeholders and people with properties and possessions to protect, not just the Housing Executive.

“From what I can see, Smartwater has worked well in communities in England so I see no harm in following their good example.”

ENDS

12.06.08