Police mean business as Plymouth tradespeople offered free tool marking event

Tradespeople are invited to a free tool and vehicle marking event next week so they can have their belongings protected with SmartWater.

The forensic marking kits will be offered at Wickes, Marsh Mills Retail Park in Plymouth, (PL6 8LX) between 8am and midday on Thursday 16th October. A limited number of kits are available and will be issued on a first come first served basis, completely free of charge.

Local officers from the Plymouth North Neighbourhood police team will be at the event, along with representatives from the Devon & Cornwall Police Crime Prevention Dept and DeterTech, who are the company behind the SmartWater product. 

Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor Kevin Sinfield explained: “We are delighted to team up with Wickes and DeterTech to help tradespeople protect their livelihoods.

“We know how devastating theft can be and we would urge tradespeople to come along and speak to us on 16th October to receive the important forensic marking and crime prevention advice. Each SmartWater kit has a unique identifiable code to the person it is registered with. The liquid is only visible under UV light. If tools are ever stolen and recovered, they can be reunited with their owners.”  

“On the day, tradespeople can get their important tools marked with a SmartWater kit. The liquid used is only visible under UV light and has a unique code that links the tools back to the person it’s registered with. That means if tools are ever stolen and recovered, they can be reunited with their rightful owners.”  

“We hope to arrange further forensic property marking events across Devon and Cornwall in the future.”  

Dave Lewis, Police Relationship Manager at DeterTech, added: “DeterTech appreciates the impact of tool theft particularly for tradespeople who rely on those tools to make a living. As such DeterTech are proud to be working nationally with Wickes using SmartWater forensic marking to deter crime and identify stolen property. The event at Wickes Plymouth supports Devon & Cornwall Police’s wider strategy using SmartWater to reduce crime, aligning with DeterTech’s purpose of giving greater peace of mind to people and communities every day.”

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