School first to go hi-tech in crime battle

The appliance of science is helping pupils at a Kidderminster school fight crime after they became the first in the Wyre Forest district to have a hi-tech property marking system installed.

Franche Community Primary School has invested in a SmartWater system, which has led to all of its information, technology and electronic equipment and other valuable items being marked with a clear liquid with a unique forensic code.

The substance is almost impossible to remove but despite being invisible shows up immediately under ultra-violet light.

Coding of the liquid is stronger and more accurate than DNA and can enable police to identify property that has been stolen and where it has come from.

Signs announcing the use of the new fluid have been installed outside the school in Chestnut Grove, and police hope this will act as an extra deterrent to thieves. Pc Paul Noke said: "The school is keen to be ahead of the times and pro-active about crime prevention and is the first in the Wyre Forest district to protect its property in this way.

"The pupils are very supportive of the police, and we hope other schools and commercial premises will follow suit."

Franche Primary School's headteacher Val Weddell-Hall said: "We are lucky to have local police officers based on our site.

"SmartWater is one way to help safeguard our property."