• 10/12/2008

Smartwater crime prevention scheme for empty properties

A new scheme has been launched to tackle the number of burglaries that occur in empty properties in the Hendon and East End area.  Led by Sunderland City Council and working in partnership with Back on the Map and Northumbria Police, it aims to reduce criminal behaviour and burglaries in the area.

The scheme works by using Smartwater Technology, a colourless liquid that can be marked on boilers and other equipment and fittings in a house using a unique chemical code and which is registered to the properties address.  The liquid glows under an ultra violet light allowing Police to identify the owner.  Smartwater maintains a 100% conviction rate when used as evidence in court.

The scheme is funded by Back on the Map, the New Deal for Communities programme for Hendon and the East End.  The City Council are also hoping to work in partnership with Private Landlords in the area by getting them to sign up to its Landlord Accreditation Scheme which has many benefits and is free to join.

Cllr Harry Trueman, Portfolio holder for Housing said: "This is yet another demonstration of the Council and its partners coming together to tackle crime related issues.

This project will not only assist the Police in their work but will go some way to assisting both the Council and Back on the Map to demonstrate the problems associated with empty homes and the wasted resource they are and hopefully attract more private landlords to our Accreditation Scheme where not only they can benefit from this initiative but many others while working in partnership with the Council and its partners to reduce the numbers of empty properties"

For any further information regarding this scheme, please contact Lucy Smith on 0191 561 1488.