Repeat Burglary Stamped Out In Henley DNA Initiative

THERE have been no repeat victims of burglary in the Henley policing district following the introduction of a SelectaDNA forensic property marking scheme two years ago.

The scheme, which was introduced by Thames Valley Police in 2008, covered areas including Sonning Common, Shiplake, Goring and Woodstock, and was intended to address the fear of crime among previous victims of residential burglary by giving them SelectaDNA kits with which to protect their household valuables.

The domestic SelectaDNA kits contain a uniquely coded synthetic DNA liquid which can be easily painted on to items of value such as digital cameras, games consoles and mobile phones.

The liquid is clear but shows up under UV light. If a marked item is stolen and recovered by police it can be traced back to the owner via the DNA code.

The kits also contain high-visibility warning labels and window stickers. If the stickers are displayed prominently, they have proved to be a highly effective deterrent against burglary.

Julia Wheeler, Henley Crime Reduction Adviser, said: “Burglary is still a problem in the rural areas of the district that are more difficult to patrol and where SelectaDNA has not been used.

“However, in the specific areas where we have distributed marking kits to residents who have been burgled before, we have achieved our aim and there have been no reported incidents of repeat burglary since the start of the scheme.”