Photo Credit: Greater Manchester Police
Police departments in the United Kingdom are using a “forensic spray” to tag motorcyclists, e-bikes and other small vehicle riders that are causing a nuisance in Manchester.
The spray, called SmartTag, contains a unique traceable forensic code tied to the bottle, enabling the police department to easily decide where and when the individual was tagged. Only an extremely small amount of liquid is needed to be able to identify whether or not someone or something has been sprayed.
The liquid also cannot be washed off nor can it be detected by the naked eye, making it a suitable tool for law enforcement.
“We are continuing with our commitment to dealing with ASB riders across Greater Manchester, we have seen 10 arrests made in the first six weeks of this operation and 54 bikes seized in the process,” Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle of the Prevention Branch said in a statement.
“Our work with the Smart Water Group has been ongoing and we are delighted to be able to get these canisters delivered and out in operation across the force immediately.”
After spraying the liquid on the suspect, the police officer can then trace it by scanning ultraviolet light on the suspects clothing and vehicle. If the solution is highlighted then the individual has been tagged.
The spray is being implemented in departments across the region, resulting in 19 seized bikes and five arrests in Wigan alone.
The spray also could reduce or eliminate any potential situations where an officer is trying to apprehend a potential dangerous or fast moving suspect.
While effective from an investigation standpoint, departments want to use the fact that they have this spray to try to deincentivize potential illegal activities.
There are plans to put up signs in popular locations alerting bikers and other motorists that police are equipped with SmartTech sprays and will use them in the face of illegal activities.
"We would rather prevent antisocial behavior in its early stages than it be a reoccurring problem," inspector Michael Crosthwaitee said in a statement.
“That is our aim, we will mark these bikes and further down the line when we come across them, we can tag them to those previous incidents, take them forward to prosecution and to get the message across to the public that we are doing something about this issue.”
SmartTag is developed by the Deter Tech, formerly the Smart Water Group, a company based in London.