SELECTAMARK'S Dutch distributor,Rhine Group BV, has won a majorcontract to protect the main rail infrastructure in the Netherlandsfrom metal theft, using SelectaDNA.

Rhine Group has been awarded thecontract by Dutch rail company ProRailBV to combat trackside metal theft. Theincreased risk of stealing, transportingand handling SelectaDNA-markedcopper and other metals is expected to deter thieves and have a significantimpact on the number of incidents.Driven by continuing global demand formetals such as copper, the Netherlandsis among many countries to strugglewith the problem of trackside metaltheft, which not only disrupts rail servicesbut also causes substantial damage tosignaling equipment, posing seriousdanger to passengers. Property markingschemes using SelectaDNA have alsobeen implemented in Germany by Rhine Group's SDNA ForensischeMarkierungstechnolgie GmbH, where

the first projects have just started inBremen and Bremerhaven. ProRail will be deploying SelectaDNA'ssuperior new ‘Trace’ technology to marktrackside metals such as copper cablewith the product's unique DNAsignature, which is highly resistant tosunlight, withstands temperatures of upto 1,000°C and can be identified andanalyzed on the spot.

The unique chemical composition of themarking can be identified with aportable DNA scanner. The DNA markingis immediately visible under ultraviolet(UV) light and contains metal microdotswith an engraved coding that can beanalyzed with a small USB-microscope.

This technology provides Police withrobust and immediate forensic proof ofwhere stolen metal has come from, thusenabling them to prosecute criminalsusing an indisputable chain of evidence.

The detection and analysis technologycan also be made available to scrapmetal dealers so they can check formarkings on the metal offered to them. Donald van der Laan, General Managerof Rhine Group said: “When we started tolook at the problem of copper theft in2008 it became obvious to us thatsolutions that were available at the time had several serious flaws.

“Most importantly, if the presence ofmarking a piece of metal could only bedetermined under UV light, scrap dealerscould be misguided into believing thatmaterial that does not 'light up' underUV is not stolen - even if it was offered tothem by dubious sources.”

Mr van der Laan continued: “Therefore,we set out with our partners to developsmart marking technologies thatovercome these flaws, providing abroader toolset to Police and a muchmore serious deterrent to criminals.”

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Trackside MetalTheft Derailed By

SelectaDNATechnology

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2

100% Burglary Reduction on crime-ridden industrial estateThere has been a 100%reduction in burglarieson a previously crime-ridden industrialestate in Pembrokeshire,following the use ofSelectaDNA forensicmarking.

Traders on the Waterloo Industrial Estatein Pembrokeshire were so concerned atthe level of crime that they complained tolocal Police about the large number of burglaries, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour being committed.

PC Ian Whiteford, Crime Prevention DesignAdvisor for Pembrokeshire Police, said: “Theproblem was of such scale that certainbusinesses on the estate were consideringrelocating out of the area due to thefinancial loss they were experiencing.”

He continued: “Large quantities of highvalue stainless steel and other metalswere being stolen, scrap metal thefts anddiesel thefts were common and oneinstance of criminal damage had cost inthe region of £100,000.”

SelectaDNA can be used to mark anyitem of value including scrap metal,industrial piping, diesel tanks andmachinery such as fork-lift trucks.

If marked items are stolen from aparticular premises and later found theycan be linked directly with the crimescene, not only allowing the property tobe returned to the business concerned,but also increasing the chance ofconviction.

PC Whiteford said: “An in-depth crimesurvey was carried out at the WaterlooIndustrial Estate and as a result variousrecommendations were made, includingthe use of SelectaDNA throughout allpremises.

“Signage was placed in prominentpositions indicating the use ofSelectaDNA and a press launchpublicised the scheme to the widercommunity.”

He added: “To date there has been a 100per cent drop in offences at the estate,which is an excellent result for us and for the local businesses concerned.”

SelectaDNA helps Cumbrian flood victims deter looting

Flood affected areas of West Cumbria arebeing protected by more than 2,000SelectaDNA property marking kits as localPolice take to the streets to continue theirefforts to prevent crime in the area.

West Cumbria Community Safety Officers have beenissuing SelectaDNA kits for flood-affected householders tomark valuables including tools and electrical equipment, todeter looters and ensure items can be traced back to therightful owner if they are taken.

Inspector Joe Murray, of West Cumbria Community SafetyTeam, said: “We are using SelectaDNA to mark any valuablesthat remain in houses affected by the floods where thehomes are considered uninhabitable.

We are using SelectaDNA as an element of reassurance tothose communities affected. At the same time we are usingstreet signage to highlight the use of DNA propertymarking to ensure the message is clear to would becriminals.”

Home security and keeping hold of as many of theirpossessions as they can is a major concern for flood victims, according to Deb Muscat, Acting Director ofCumbria Community Foundation.

She said: “Some people continue to stay in cold, damphomes just to keep the remains of their belongings safe. TheDNA kits will give people the peace of mind they need. Weare really pleased that a grant from the Flood Recovery Fundcan be used to help in this way.

Inspector Murray concluded: “Thanks to this hard work I amproud to say we have seen very few reports of crisis-relatedcrime such as looting or fraudulent traders and we want tokeep it that way.”

“We are committed, through the Policing Pledge, to keepingour neighbourhoods safe, and people can be confident thatwe will continue to work together to rebuild our homes andcommunities to ensure West Cumbria, specifically the townsof Cockermouth and Keswick remain one of the safest placesin the country.”

SelectaDNA In Award-Winning POP PartnershipA Neighbourhood renewal project thathas used SelectaDNA to help improvethe quality of life for residents in adeprived area of Lancashire, hasscooped a Problem OrientedPartnership (POP) Award at a recentceremony held in Blackpool.

The Lancashire POP Awards are given torepresentatives from various agenciesinvolved in community schemes inrecognition of their use of partnershipworking to resolve a problem. Titled'Shaping the Place', the scheme waslaunched in 2007 as a partnershipinvolving Lancashire County Council,Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire& Rescue, North Lancashire PCT,Lancashire Probation Trust, togetherwith Lancashire Police Authority.

As part of the scheme, residents of morethan 200 properties on St Albans Road (inthe central ward of St Annes), togetherwith the owners of a number of smallretail outlets and takeaway restaurants,aswell as a large YMCA situated on theroad, were encouraged to mark any itemsof value in their homes or businesses witha SelectaDNA property marking kit.

Since 2007 to date, there have been ZEROburglaries reported in St Albans Road, andthe scheme has been judged a hugesuccess. Bryan Ward, community safetymanager at Fylde Borough Council said:“We are delighted to have done so well atthe POP awards. Residents of St AlbansRoad are increasingly proud of the areathey live in and it has sparkedregeneration in the neighbourhood.”

Dudley DNA scheme cuts burglaries by 52%

Operation Identify, a police-backed scheme covering more than 700 homes inthe Kates Hill area, involved the distribution of SelectaDNA kits to residents by localofficers. The scheme was funded byDudley's Community Safety Partnership.

Police monitoring research shows theproject has been a big success for not onlyreducing burglary by more than half, butalso in terms of significantly narrowing thegap between burglary dwelling rates in the 'Identify' area when compared with the Dudley borough average.

SelectaDNA is an increasingly popularchoice for community partnershipproperty marking schemes due to its one-off price with no license or renewal fees.

Broadland properties are armed against thieves

SelectaDNA, a state-of-the-art propertymarking product, is being applied toitems of value in homes and businessespreviously targeted by thieves, as policeand Broadland District Council join forcesin a major crime reduction initiative. Funded by the council, the new schemewill warn off criminals, target hardenproperties and reduce the fear of crime.

All safer neighbourhood teams, responsecars and police stations in the Broadlanddistrict have been equipped withSelectamark ultra-violet lights to enablethem to check for the solution as a

STUDENTS from the University ofBirmingham living off-campus areactively involved in a new scheme usingSelectaDNA's hi-tech forensic markingsystem to protect their accommodationand personal possessions from theft.The Safer Birmingham Partnership, whichconsists of several key agencies includingWest Midlands Police, Birmingham CityCouncil and West Midlands Fire Service, isfunding the scheme.

Austin Rodriguez, from Birmingham CityCouncil, said: “The SelectaDNA scheme iscentred around the Bournebrook area inSelly Oak which houses around 8,000students in terraced housing.

“Selly Oak has suffered from high levels of burglary in the past and thePartnership was keen to find a solutionthat would not only help deter theft in the first instance but also reduce the fear of crime for students in the area.

“We are encouraging the students totake an active role in marking their ownbelongings which include laptops, TVs,Wiis, mobile phones, iPods and bikes.”

The crime fighting kits contain a bottleof the SelectaDNA formula, whichconsists of an ultraviolet tracer and aunique DNA code. The clear liquid canbe easily applied by the students to anypersonal item to identify it as belongingto them. If the item is stolen and laterrecovered by police, it can be scannedand traced back to the rightful owner viathe DNA marking.

West Midlands Police have also beenadvising students to display the hi-visibility deterrent stickers that comewith each kit on the windows and doorsof their accommodation indicating thattheir property has been marked.

Mr Rodriguez continued: “We are alsoerecting 20 metal street signs which will clearly denote the area where

SelectaDNA is being deployed and willbe a firm warning to would-be thievesthat they should stay away or run therisk of getting caught and arrested.”Feedback from the students has beenexcellent. “We have heard back frommembers of the Student Union who aresaying it is the 'best project we haveever run',” said Mr Rodriguez. “This isencouraging news for us, as we aredetermined to reduce theft and helpkeep our students safe in the process.”

Birmingham studentslearn how to protect their property

ONE YEAR on from the launch of a SelectaDNA property marking scheme in a crimehotspot in Dudley, residential burglaries have been cut by an impressive 52%.

matter of course.Kirsten Cooper, Broadland CouncilCommunity Safety Partnership Co-ordinator said: "Broadland has the lowestcrime rates in East Anglia and BroadlandCommunity Safety Partnership arecommitted to reducing crime anddisorder in Broadland even further. "Ouraim is for Broadland residents to feel safeand this product has been funded toincrease the safety of victims andvulnerable premises.

The system is already used in parts ofKing's Lynn and Great Yarmouth.

BURGLARS who target homes and business premises in theBroadland District of Norfolk will be thinking twice about the risks involved, as the properties are now armed withSelectaDNA that will instantly link them with the crime scene.

Bob Dimmock, Dudley Community Safety Team, said: “One year on and we are pleased toreport that the scheme has been very successful and has reduced burglary dwellingoffences by 52%. SelectaDNA was chosen by our panel over other products becausewe felt it would give us more output for our available funding.”

Bike Register ramps up security in Doncaster schoolsFOLLOWING a new link-up withBike It, the national cycle-to-school initiative, children fromprimary schools in the Doncasterarea have had their bikes security-marked and placed on theBikeregister database to protectthem from loss and theft.

Pupils attending Owston Park,Bawtry Mayflower and Dunsvilleprimary schools are among severalhundred in the area to have beenregularly cycling to school as part ofthe popular Bike It initiative, run bythe UK's leading sustainabletransport charity Sustrans. Now in itsfifth year, the scheme has beenhugely successful in encouragingchildren throughout the UK to leavethe car at home and travel to schoolin ways that are better for them andfor the environment."

Sustrans Bike It officer, Jim Cole, said:“It's been a fantastic few months forBike It in Doncaster, with loads ofchildren cycling to school and fullbike sheds everywhere.”

The Bike It team have been running Dr Bike sessions at the schools, wherepupils have had their bikes checked forsafety and road-worthiness. Pupils werethen given the chance to have theirbikes visibly marked with a unique ID code before being placed onSelectamark's police-approvedBikeregister database(www.bikeregister.com). A warningsticker was then placed on the frame of the bike to deter would-be thieves.

Jim Cole said: “The introduction ofBikeregister at some of the schools inDoncaster has been an added bonus asit brings to the forefront the idea thatthe children should be concentratingon security. They need to remember tolock their bikes up when they get offthem and leave them somewhere!”

Jim hopes to extend the bike markingscheme to other schools in the area inthe near future.

Dwelling burglary & bike theft reduced in massive DNA scheme

An entire policing district on the north-east coast of England, whichcovers nearly 100 square miles, isbeing protected by SelectaDNAforensic marking after ClevelandPolice introduced an extensivescheme featuring both urban andrural locations.

The scheme was introduced 18 monthsago with the aim of reducing dwellingburglary and covers the Redcar &Cleveland Police district.

The district includes the main towns of Redcar, Guisborough, Saltburn andLoftus, aswell as the villages ofKirkleatham and Skinningrove. It hasover 58,000 households in a mixture of inner-city and countryside areas.Some local businesses have also beenusing SelectaDNA, in particular,charitable organisations that have beenkeen to protect their IT equipmentfrom theft.

PC Chris Gunnell, Crime ReductionOfficer for Redcar & Cleveland, said:“There is a wide mix of property in thedistrict including housing association,private residential, urban dwellings andrural properties including farms.

Rotherham scheme is as safe as housesEmpty homes awaiting tenants inRotherham, South Yorkshire, are beingprotected from burglary by Selectamark'spermanent visible marking system.

Housing management organisation 2010Rotherham was keen to introduce newsecurity measures following a spate ofthefts from council-owned homes in thearea. The scheme is being funded by theSafer Rotherham Partnership.

Around 1,500 council homes a yearbecome empty in Rotherham as onetenant moves out and another moves in.Before a new tenant takes up residence,2010 Rotherham send in workmen torepair and ensure it meets the EmptyProperty standard. During this time thehome can become vulnerable toburglary with boilers and copper piping

being the main target for thieves. ChrisGaynor from 2010 Rotherham “We wantburglars to be aware of the fact thatproperty in our homes is permanently and visibly marked using an indeliblecompound and therefore it is not worththeir while to steal it.”

Selectamark's forensic marking productSelectaDNA Gel is also being used by 2010 Rotherham to protect copperheating pipes in the empty properties.Rising copper prices and the currentrecession have contributed to the problem of metal theft.

SelectaDNA Gel is used to uniquely identifycriminals tampering with property orillegally gaining access to premises. Once athief comes into contact with the Gel, ittransfers to their hands and clothing and isthen irrefutably linked to the crime scene.

“It's been afantastic fewmonths for BikeIt in Doncaster,with loads ofchildren cyclingto school andfull bike shedseverywhere.”Jim Cole

PC Gunnell added: “We were lookingfor an alternative forensic markingproduct to the previous one we hadbeen using, which we found to betoo expensive with all the renewalfees. We wanted a product that youjust paid for once and then wereable to get on and use it, on alltypes of property”.

Another issue in Redcar & Cleveland hasbeen the problem of mountain biketheft, with bikes worth up to £1,000being stolen. Selectamark's bikeregisterkits (www.bikeregister.com) are beingdeployed in this instance to reduce anddeter theft.

Local officers have also been workingclosely with Neighbourhood Watchorganisations to mark around 700 bikesat schools and youth clubs in the area.

Selectamark Security Systems plc, 1 Locks Court, 429 Crofton Road,Locksbottom, Kent, BR6 8NL. Telephone: +44 1689 860757

For further press information and images contact: Angela Singleton, Press Officer for Selectamark. Telephone: 07905 623 819 Email: angelasingleton@onetel.com

Slovakian Police Visit UK On Forensic Marking MissionPOLICE officers from Slovakia recently visited the UK to findout more about SelectaDNA and to see how it was beingused to prevent crime in the Buckinghamshire area.

Thames Valley Police have been using SelectaDNA's forensicproperty marking system to fight burglary and otheracquisitive crimes as part of the force-wide Operation Breakercampaign, which was launched in July. Supt Richard List fromThames Valley Police said: “I am delighted to be able to sharethese ideas and technologies with colleagues from Europe.We need to continually share best policing practice not justnationally but internationally.”

A NEW Police operation is underway in Sunderland using SelectaDNA Grease to put a stop to lead thefts.

Over the past few months there has been a rise in the number of incidents where lead has been stolen or attempted to be stolen, particularly in the south of the city.

Local Police are now making sure lead gets coated withforensic marking product SelectaDNA Grease. Anyonetouching the lead is immediately covered in the grease, which is impossible to remove.

Police are also reminding scrap metal dealers of the law theyneed to comply with when trading. Neighbourhood InspectorCheryl Warcup said: Scrap metal yards hold a responsibility toensure the origin of the metal they are being sold is genuine.

“We're asking them to be extra vigilant and make sure they're complying with the law as they can play a huge part in putting a stop to the thefts of metal by making it evenmore difficult for offenders to sell on their stolen goods. Theinformation they give us is also crucial in helping us identifythose responsible."

Details scrap metal dealers are required to log by law:

• description and weight of the metal they are trading

• date and time of receipt. This relates to the date and time of the trade

• the full name and address of the person trading the metal

• price payable, if any, or estimated value of the metal traded

• registration details of the vehicle which came to the yard or office with metal

Sunderland Police Grease The Way To Capture Lead Thieves

For more information on our products visit www.selectadna.co.ukor contact +44 1689 860757