Over 100 security staff in bars and clubs across the county are to be equipped with a forensic spray designed to increase nightlife safety. The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has funded a 3-year membership for venues to use the SmartTag handheld tool, developed by the SmartWater Group.
SmartTag uses a pressurized canister to deploy a stream of SmartWater forensic liquid to tag an offender with a unique forensic code. This can be used by the police to link back to a specific criminal incident. The product is now live in selected premises, following a launch event at the Pryzm nightclub in Leeds.
“The rollout of SmartTag across West Yorkshire represents yet another milestone in our ongoing commitment to people’s safety within the night-time economy," said Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh. “We were one of the first in the country to introduce the pioneering Licensing SAVI initiative, offering training and support for venues on key issues. Likewise, we recently funded the city centre deployment of a St John Ambulance mobile treatment centre on busy weekends towards the new year. All this contributes to a secure and reassuring environment, which corresponds closely with the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s pledge around the safety of women and girls.”
According to Gary Higgins, Chief Operating Officer of SmartWater Group, in recent police-supported trials, the presence of SmartTag has been proven to act as a powerful deterrent.
"It has a noticeable calming effect on troublemakers even without a single canister having to be deployed," he said. “SmartWater is a powerful tool as it provides the police with the evidence they need to prosecute, and hundreds of criminals are behind bars as a result. As we gear up for a busy Christmas period, we’re sending out a clear message that violent behaviour will not be tolerated in our night-time venues or within our wider communities.”
“Forensic marking solutions have been in use in West Yorkshire for some time now and have been valuable tools in helping both deter and also catch offenders in a whole host of crime types," said superintendent Lee Berry of West Yorkshire Police.“Districts including Bradford and Wakefield, have used the technology to help convict illegal off-road bikers, deter shoplifters and also mark alcoholic drinks cans to help us identify stores connected with street drinking and ASB. We welcome the adoption of SmartTag in licenced premises as this innovative partnership approach can only help make users of the night-time economy safer and assist us in swiftly identifying and taking action against those involved in crime.”
Republished courtesy of West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Photo credit: SmartWater Group.