Lancashire (UK) Police's Wyre Target Team has been using a variety of measures to target known thieves in the area with the aim of reducing and detecting vehicle crime offences. The team's main tactic has been the use of bait cars, which appear completely normal to the untrained eye, but contain hidden cameras, which capture images of the thief in action. This footage can later be used as evidence in Court. Two persistent criminal offenders were recently convicted of theft from motor vehicles, based on such evidence.

Several bait cars are being deployed in the Wyre area, which contain valuable items smeared with SelectaDNA Gel, a product of Selectamark Security Systems (Locksbottom, UK), which contains a unique DNA code. The clear gel is transferred onto the thieves' hands and clothing when they touch these object. By this means, criminals are then linked to the crime scene.

Police Constable Knights said: "The use of bait vehicles has been a great success and has been directly attributed to the arrest and conviction of several prolific and persistent offenders. We know who is committing crime and this tactic provides the court with overwhelming evidence. To date, all suspects have pleaded guilty at their first appearance at court. This reduces the need for unnecessary court appearances and ensures swift entry into the criminal justice system."

With about two million vehicle-related thefts in the UK alone every year, a number that continues to rise, the use of SelectaDNA Gel in police 'bait' cars is among the useful applications of this new transferable forensic gel.

Related Links:
Selectamark Security Systems
SelectaDNA