A SECURITY system has been provided free of charge to every household in Bishop’s Castle in a bid to reduce crime in the area.

SmartWater kits include a substance that can be directly applied to valuables such as electrical goods, jewellery and garden tools. It contains a unique forensic code that is registered to an individual address or location.

The kits have been funded by Bishop’s Castle Town Council with the support of the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner and a grant from South Shropshire Housing community fund.

SmartWater is almost invisible under normal light but glows brightly under ultraviolet light. It shows up on criminals if they have handled goods marked with the substance.

Each dose has its own "genetic code" to link stolen property back to individual owners.

For more information see www.smartwater.com or contact Estelle on estelle.stock@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or ruth.houghton@shropshire.gov.uk