New approach used in bid to reduce domestic abuse in South Yorkshire

SmartWater is being offered to victims of domestic abuse or anyone deemed at risk, with the substance sprayed around properties to make it possible to identify people who have been in certain homes when they should not have been.

The water is normally used to mark valuables so that stolen property can be identified and traced back to particular crimes.

With each batch containing a unique DNA-type code and logged on a database, it is possible to establish where stolen items were taken from.

But the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership said the substance is now proving valuable in deterring people from visiting homes where victims have experienced domestic abuse or are thought to be at risk.

It has been given to 80 vulnerable people across South Yorkshire over the last eight months.

The water makes it possible to prove when abusers or those deemed a threat have visited homes of victims or potential victims.

If offenders touch anything that has been sprayed with SmartWater it will stay on their clothes and skin and can be seen under special lights.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Berry, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “The South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit invested in to the SmartWater forensic marking initiative as we knew that it would allow victims of domestic abuse to feel safer.

“In addition to the reduction in the number of incidents, we have also seen that of all of the victims surveyed, 86 per cent of victims now feel safer and 78 per cent have reported that the initiative has had a positive impact on them.

“Feedback from the victims is positive with one stating that police and partner agencies have gone above and beyond and that they would recommend to others. These results provide reassurance that we are not only prioritising domestic abuse, but that we are making big steps to reducing re-offending and keeping victims safe.”

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Domestic abuse is a serious crime and both the Violence Reduction Unit and South Yorkshire Police are committed to tackle it and protect vulnerable victims.”