A NEW police crime prevention drive introducing SmartWater property marking kits to residents in Kidderminster is proving a success.

The joint initiative with Wyre Forest’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP) began yesterday (September 23) when SmartWater packs were distributed to people living in Avon Road and Spring Grove Crescent in Foley Park.

SmartWater is an indelible forensic coding solution used for marking property and the initiative, designed to combat house burglary, is being sponsored by the CSP.

Police and Community Support Officers along with CSP staff, Neighbourhood Wardens and staff from Oldington and Foley Park Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder visited homes with the kits.

Wyre Forest District Inspector, Paul Crowley, said: “It was very well received and each resident was shown how to mark their property and issued with SmartWater to use on their own possessions.

“The majority put up SmartWater stickers in their windows immediately and were very positive about it.

“Road signage has gone up in the streets to make it clear that SmartWater is in use there and by the time we have finished the exercise today we will have visited around 90 homes.”

CSP Chair Helen Dyke said: “This is the first of a number of areas which the Community Safety Partnership and police will be visiting in Wyre Forest to issue packs to residents.

“SmartWater is a very useful crime prevention tool and is one of a number of precautions people can take to ensure their property is safe and secure.”

SmartWater packs are now available at a discounted rate through Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Wyre Forest.

Members requiring a pack or more information should call the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for North Worcestershire, Mel Clarke, on 01527 586253.

Anyone considering joining Neighbourhood Watch, starting a new group or finding out more can call Mr Clarke on the same number.

More information on SmartWater is available at www.westmercia.police.uk/crime/smartwater.htm or SmartWater’s website at www.smartwater.com