Anti-crime blitz to leave its mark

HUNDREDS of property-marking kits will be given out to Oldhamers in a bid to beat burglars.

Police will hand out about 300 kits to households in Greenacres, Waterhead and Clarksfield, as well as increasing patrols and visiting known offenders.

The kits contain a liquid that contains a unique code and which can be painted on to valuables.

If an item is recovered or found it can be traced back to its rightful owner by using the code.

It can also be used to link a burglar directly to a crime, increasing the chances of a successful conviction.

Signs are also being put up on the streets of Oldham to warn off criminals and residents are being given window stickers to let would-be thieves know that valuables have been security marked.

Sgt Arron Cooper, who is leading the crime reduction initiative, said: “We are confident that the forensic marking kits can help counter burglary in these particular areas of Oldham.

“We want to encourage local residents to be more security conscious and to protect their homes in this simple, but effective way.

“We also want to make it as difficult as possible for thieves, so that they know that it is not worth breaking into homes.

“Not only do they run the risk of being caught, but if they steal marked items and try to sell them on, they are extremely likely to be caught in the act.”

The property-marking kits have been funded by Oldham Community Safety Services.